Edward Ellis

Edward E. Ellis, 88, of Newberry, SC passed away peacefully Thursday, November 4, 2010, surrounded by family at Hospice of Laurens County. He is survived by his wife, Rosa Ellis.

We celebrate his life.

Ed was born January 10, 1922, in Waxhaw, NC the son of the late Chalmers Ellis and Ruth D. Wolfe. As a member of the Greatest Generation, Ed was raised during the height of the Great Depression. His family relocated to Rock Hill, SC where Ed enjoyed bird hunting with his brother Paul and playing basketball. At the age of 15, Ed started his career in the cotton mill industry at the J.P. Stevens Mill while he attended Whitmire High School. After graduating high school in 1940, Ed married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Campbell of Whitmire, SC July14, 1940. Ed and Virginia’s marriage was blessed with three daughters, Gail, Elaine and Ann.

With the nation in peril, Ed was driven to serve his country. Even though he could not swim (and never learned) he chose to enlist in the US Navy, February 27, 1944. Seeking to be near the action, he volunteered for a high risk task as a member of the crew on a beach assault Landing Craft, Mechanized (LCM) where he served as a Motor Machinist Mate 3 ^rd Class. Assigned to the USS Caswell (AKA-72), Ed saw service throughout the Pacific including the invasion of Okinawa. Following the defeat of Japan, Ed traveled extensively along the coast of China while his vessel transported Chinese Nationalist troops in their fight against the Communists. Ed treasured his collection of photographs taken during the Second World War and his travels throughout China. His naval service came to an end January 6, 1946. He promptly came home.

Ed returned to his family in Whitmire. He assumed his employment at the J.P. Stevens Mill working in the Card Room. Moving to Newberry in 1949, Ed continued his career at the Oakland Cotton Mill eventually becoming a manager. He was dedicated to his family, active in his church and community, successful in his career, generous with his time and resources. Ed and his family loved visiting Daytona Beach every July 4 ^th holiday, fishing on Lake Murray and gardening. After purchasing a second home on Lake Murray in 1973, his family focused on generating lifetime memories at the lake fishing, swimming, and having meals of freshly caught crappie with garden fresh vegetables.

After Ed’s divorce in 1976, he married Rosa Watson of Greer, SC. Ed and Rosa enjoyed traveling. For many years they traveled extensively throughout the east coast of the United Sates with a number of Newberry based bus tours. A church dinner would not be complete without Rosa’s wonderful meals prepared from Ed’s garden vegetables. Rosa and Ed celebrated their 35 ^th wedding anniversary this past April.

As he did throughout his life, Ed was generous with his time and gifts. His generosity ranged from volunteer work with Meals on Wheels to his endless gifts of fresh garden vegetables to his friends and neighbors. Ed was always giving back to his community. He was an active member of Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church for over 38 years and truly treasured the time he spent in worship. He was a consistent volunteer for church fund raisers (specialized in barbeque preparation). He served as a deacon of the church.

Ed was a great friend and his warm smile and loving generosity will be missed in the Newberry Community.

A loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he will be deeply missed by his wife, Rosa Ellis; his daughters, Gail Singley of Lexington, SC; daughter, Elaine Long and her husband, Marion Long, Jr. of Orlean, VA; daughter, Ann Leopard and her husband, Lemuel Leopard of Clinton, SC; step-son, Phillip Watson and his wife, Kim Watson of Myrtle Beach, SC; six grandchildren, Mary Ann Simons of Lexington, SC, Phyllis Ray of Beaufort, SC, Michael Long of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Kimberly Bouknight of Clinton, SC, Lisa Long of Orlean, VA, and Bradley Ellis of Boone, NC, eight great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.

Ed is predeceased by his son-in-law, Bob Singley, sisters, Juanita E. Logan and Ruby E. Whittington, half sisters, Loma K. Tony, Wilma K. Kirkland, and Clyde K. Dodson and half brothers, Paul King and Ray King.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 7, 2010, at Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church by the Rev. Jimmy Counts. Visitation will be Saturday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church,1105 First Street, Newberry, SC 29108 or to Hospice of Laurens County, 1304 Springdale Drive, PO Box 178, Clinton, SC 29325.

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