Dr. David Ellis

1920 - 2014

- Heaven welcomes one of the few remaining members of the Greatest Generation.

Dr. David Bradley Ellis, Sr., 94, passed away at Baptist Memorial Hospital- Union County on July 22, 2014.

Born on March 29, 1920, near Cotton Plant in Union County, Mississippi to William Augustus Ellis, Sr. and Della Teer Ellis, the third of four sons, he attended Tippah Union School and graduated from the Mississippi Heights Academy in Blue Mountain, MS. He spent two years in the Civil Conservation Corps, earning a dollar a day to earn money for college and help support the family.

He enrolled at Mississippi State College, working in the cafeteria to help pay his way. He completed 2 years of academic work before joining the United States Army (his draft notice came before he could join the U.S. Navy). After training in the U.S. as a machinist at Kelly Field and Oklahoma City, he and his company zig-zagged across the Pacific in a converted ocean liner, hammocks stacked up 4 vertically, stopping in Tahiti and Perth, Australia. Finally reaching India he spent the next 4 years working on planes which flew The Hump in China-Burma-India Theater.

Upon discharge from the Army Air Corps, he graduated from Mississippi State College and worked as a County Agent in Clay and Lafayette Counites.

Answering the calling to become a physician, he decided to return to shcool on the GI bill. He spent a summer at Millsaps College completing pre-medical studies at the University of Mississippi and 2 years of Medical School on the Ole Miss campus in Oxford, then transferring to the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis, where he received his MD in 1955.

Following a one year internship at John Gaston Hospital in Memphis, TN, he began a general practice of medicine, initially in Ripley, MS for 2 years, and then in New Albany, MS. He practiced for more than 50 years. He delivered babies, made home calls, set broken arms and had an outpatient and hospital practice. He was the physician for many local plants, enjoying a special friendship with Mr. Morris Futorian.

After retiring at age 81, he continued his interests in farming, politics, real estate, cattle and timber, and his family and extended family.

He was a proud member of The American Legion, Sons of the Confederate Veterans, Forestry Association, American Angus Association, Mississippi State Alumni Association and the Mississippi State Medical Association.

He served for several years on the New Albany School Board and as physician for New Haven School. He was an avid supporter for all things Mississippi, Union County and New Albany.

He was a lifelong Presbyterian, initially at Ebenezer Presbyterian in Cotton Plant and later at Cleveland Street Presbyterian in New Albany, where he served as a deacon.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years Nancy Katherine McKinstry Ellis and 6 children: Representative Margaret Ellis Rogers of New Albany, Dr. Mary Ellis Pace (Dr. Samuel Pace) of Tupelo, MS, Elizabeth Ellis Skinner (Dan Skinner) of New Albany, Dr. Martha Jane Ellis Blanche of Memphis, TN, David B. Ellis, Jr. of Saltillo, MS and John M. Ellis of New Albany.

Grandchildren are Brad Rogers and Robbins Rogers (Jonna) of New Albany, David Pace (Susannah) of Tupelo, MS, Gordon Pace (Lisa) of Richmond, VA, Katherine Hardin (Sam) of Starkville, MS, John Mark Skinner of Jackson, MS, Joseph and Julia Blanche of Memphis, TN, and Jennie Katherine Ellis of Collierville, TN.

Great grandchildren are Corinne, Lillian and Camille Pace of Tupelo, Isaac and Gregory Pace of Richmond, VA, Nita, Shepherd and Ellis Ann Hardin of Starkville, MS and step-great granddaughters are Avery Grace and Mary Claire Shaw of Tupelo.

He was predeceased by his brothers, William Augustus Ellis, Jr., Robert Andrew Ellis, and Travis Charles Ellis. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Edna Ellis of Ellistown.

Pallbearers will be Brad and Robbins Rogers, David and Gordon Pace, John Mark Skinner and Sam Hardin. Honorary pallbearers are members of The American Legion Post 72.

A man of many facets, mentor, friend, inspiration and wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather, he will be greatly missed not only by his loving family, but by countless others whose lives he has touched.

Visitation is from 4 - 8p.m. Thursday July 24 at New Albany Presbyterian Church and 12 - 1p.m. Friday July 25. Funeral services will be at 1:00p.m. United Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the American Legion or charity of choice.

For online condolences and guest registry, visit www.unitedfuneralservice.com