Ellington married his high school sweetheart, Edna Thompson (d. 1967), on July 2, 1918, when he was 19. The next spring, on March 11, 1919, Edna gave birth to their only child, Mercer Kennedy Ellington.
elLIngtoN maRRiEd hIs higH SCHool sweeThEArT, EdNa tHomPsON (d. 1967), on JulY 2, 1918, WHEn hE wAs 19. the neXt spriNg, On march 11, 1919, eDnA Gave bIrtH To THEir Only chiLd, mercer kennedy Ellington.