Mary McKinley Daves Ellis (January 2, 1835 – January 23, 1916) was an American political hostess who, as the wife of Governor John Willis Ellis, served as First Lady of North Carolina from 1859 to 1861.

She was first lady when North Carolina succeeded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.

[1] [2] On 11 August 1858, she married the widower John Willis Ellis, who six days earlier was elected governor of North Carolina.

[3][4] Ellis served as the First Lady of North Carolina during her husband's term as governor, from 1859 to 1861.

[5] During the American Civil War, within her husband's term, North Carolina succeeded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America.