Mrs. Ala Ellen Kilby, 94, died at 3:20 p.m. Friday at her home in Fruita. She was born October 12, 1876 in Jefferson, NC; the 4th child born to William and Amanda (Graybeal) Goss. She was about 8 years old when the family moved to Pueblo, Colorado, and three years later moved to Fruita in a covered wagon train trailing a herd of cattle. She attended school in Fruita and became skilled in art, fancy work, sewing, and home making.

She married a cowboy, John P. White, on Christmas day in 1893. Their honeymoon was made on horseback with a pack outfit over the mountain to Rangely, where John was employed by a cattle company, and where they lived several years.

Ellen and John had five children; Charles Paton, one child not named that died right after birth, Minta Ethel, William Faye, and Franklin John who died at age eight.
Around 1900 John homesteaded the 7-K Bar Ranch on Douglas Creek, where the family spent the summers until 1913 when John died. About a year later Ellen sold the ranch to Bart Owens and made a permanent home in Fruita.

On August 15, 1915 Ellen married Smith Kilby, a marriage that lasted until her death; nearly 56 years. Ellen had several children of relatives in her home throughout the years, and raised two small grandsons to manhood. She helped with additional expenses by going into the dress making business. She also crocheted bedspreads, tablecloths, aprons, and many other beautiful articles.

Mrs. Kilby was a member of the Fruita Methodist Church, an active member of the Silver Bell Rebekah, the Carnation Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, Neighbors of Woodcraft, two bridge clubs, Treasurer of the Women's Society for Christian Service, and Treasurer of the Elmwood Cemetery for 24 years. She was also a charter member of the Old Time Dancing Club.

Survivors include her husband, a retired barber; a son, Charles Peyton White of Boulder; a daugher, Mrs. Guy "Minta" Gerry of Rangely; a brother, Morgan Goss of Grand Junction; and a sister, Mrs. William "Lulu" Havens, Vernal, Utah. Also surviving are five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.