He was born in Tryon, son of the late Dr. R. Archie Ellis and Lois Avant Ellis. His professional career included many years as a funeral director, some retail and retired from Certified Nursing Assisting doing home health care in 2003.

He was the immediate past president of St. Luke&squo;s Hospital Auxiliary, sat on the board of trustees and volunteered as courier and at the thrift shop. He drove home delivered meals in Polk County for 4 years and was a BBQ Festival volunteer and a lieutenant and tutored for Fulton County Literacy Council.

Survivors include his loving spouse, Alicia Lacy Ellis, his brother John Avant Ellis (Jill) of Marietta, Ga., 2 stepsons, 2 nieces, 1 nephew, 1 great niece and 2 grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Tryon, with Father Walter Bryan officiating. Interment will be in the memorial garden.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Cross Church, 150 Melrose Ave. Tryon,N.C 28782 or Smith Phayer Hospice House, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, N.C., 28722.

McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, is in charge of arrangements.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandsfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, is in charge of arrangements.

‐ paid obituary