Douglas Ellis

Douglas B. Ellis FRANKLIN - Douglas Bryant Ellis, 81, died Dec. 3, 2009, at the East Pavilion. A native of Southampton County, she was a daughter of the late Jake and Mamie Hill Bryant and widow of William Lee Ellis Jr. She was predeceased by brothers, Hereford, William and Gordon. She had retired from Union Camp Corporation after many years in the sales department and the latter as secretary to the late Mr. James L. Camp Jr. She had also retired as secretary of the J.L. Camp Foundation in 2006. An active member of the Hunterdale Christian Church, she voluntarily served for 25 years as church clerk. Mrs. Ellis had been a longtime member of the Business and Professional Women's Club and served on that state board. She was a charter member of the local Pilot club, a member of the Franklin Women's Club, and was the Past Matron of the Franklin Chapter No. 128 of the Order of the Eastern Star. An active business woman since the 1940s, she was nominated "Franklin's Outstanding Business Woman." She is survived by two sons, William L. Ellis III and wife Cheryl, and Douglas Bryant Ellis; four grandchildren, Jacob Garrett Ellis, Jaron Bryant Ellis, William Douglas Ellis and Dailey Rayana Ellis. Special to Douglas were her only sister, Christine Bryant Calloway and husband J. Willard Calloway, and her sister-in-law, Lottie B. Bryant, all of Portsmouth. She is also survived by a special nephew, Hereford "Buck" Bryant Jr. of Franklin; a number of other beloved nieces and nephews; and a dear friend, Floyd B. Smith of Hampton. Douglas was truly devoted to her family and friends and she will be sorely missed. A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Poplar Spring Cemetery with the Rev. Don Rosie officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Wright Funeral Home and suggests memorials be made to Hunterdale Christian Church Memorial Fund, 741 Hunterdale Road, Franklin, VA 23851. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.