Robert Franklin Ellis Sr.

1954 - 2023

Robert Franklin Ellis, Sr, 69, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2023 with his wife, son and brother by his side. He was a kind, caring man with a sweet soul and servant heart. He possessed a dry wit and an easy going manner that endeared him to his family, friends and coworkers.

Robert was born in Jackson, TN on July 31, 1954 and grew up in Selmer, TN, the son of Thomas Herschel and Mauvaleen McCoy Ellis. A graduate of McNairy County High School, he was on the golf and basketball teams and was named to the MCHS Hall of Fame. He attended Lambuth College in Jackson, TN where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. After graduation Robert worked at St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis before entering the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy where he earned a PharmD degree. Robert completed a residency at the Med in Memphis and was employed there as a clinical pharmacist.

Robert fell in love with his friend and former PharmD classmate Margaret Whidden of Memphis and they married in 1988. They welcomed a son, Robert (Rob) Franklin Ellis, Jr in 1990. The family moved to Tupelo in 1993 when Robert accepted a position at NMIMC where he helped establish the Coumadin Clinic at IMA. Later, he moved to the inpatient setting where he served as Clinical Coordinator of Pharmacy Services. He was well respected and shared his knowledge and expertise with many pharmacists, students and other healthcare workers while remaining a direct patient care pharmacist throughout his career.

Robert received numerous awards including Mississippi Health Systems Pharmacist of the Year, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy Preceptor of the Year, and NMMC Pharmacy Practice Resident Preceptor of the Year.

Robert was a loving father and supported Rob by coaching recreational soccer and basketball and was actively involved in the Tupelo High School Track and Cross Country Booster Clubs. He was an avid golfer and looked forward to his yearly golf trips with friends. Later in life he became a pickleball enthusiast. He enjoyed trips to the beach, mountains, national parks and overseas travel with family and friends.

He attended The Orchard Church Tupelo where he last served on the hospitality team until his health declined. He was a longtime pharmacy volunteer at the Good Samaritan Clinic in Tupelo.

A service celebrating Robert's life will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, August 27, 2023 at the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel with Dr. Bryan Collier officiating. The family will receive friends from 12 PM until service time on Sunday at Holland Funeral Directors- Tupelo. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed at 2 PM at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming, where it will be archived afterward.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret, son Rob (Allison McCharen) of Bartlett, TN, his brother Thomas Warren Ellis (Donna) of Jackson, TN, brothers-in-law Andrew (Gene) Whidden, David (Debbie) Whidden, and James Whidden, his beloved dog Olive and many nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws James Hall and Frances Salyer Whidden, and his brother-in-law William Whidden.

The family wishes to express their appreciation for the compassionate care provided by NMMC Hospice and his sitters Doll Walker, Tina Kindt, Bobbie Clifton, Kimberly Whaley and Jessica Vasquez.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to NMMC Hospice Care, 830 S. Gloster, Tupelo, MS 38801; or Good Samaritan Health Services, 420 Magazine St, Tupelo, MS 38801; or Tupelo Area Pickleball, Inc, 1527 Columbine Dr, Tupelo, MS 38801; or The Orchard Church Tupelo, 1379 North Coley Road, Tupelo, MS 38801.