Howard Ellis

Howard L. Ellis NEWSOMS - Howard Lee Ellis, 83, passed away Dec. 19, 2008. He was a son of the late Benjamin F. and Ethel Saunders Ellis and was also preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce Bradford Ellis. Mr. Ellis served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as an aviation ordnanceman 2nd class stationed on the air craft carrier Ranger on the Atlantic ocean and served the Naval Air Station in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. He was a retired farmer and a member of Southampton County Two Ton Peanut Club. He and a few other farmers were the first to farm with tractors and equipment in their area (no mules). After retirement, Howard continued to farm parttime with his son-in-law and friends, Larry Holloman and J.L. Porter. Howard was an original member of Newsome Hunt Club and an avid quail hunter and bass fisherman. He was a lifetime member of Newsoms Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and trustee. He also served as secretary for the Men's Bible Class and as an usher for the church before his health started to fail. He is survived by his wife, Bernice Worrell Ellis; one daughter, Sandra E. Rountree and husband Guy P. Rountree Jr. of Newsoms; two grandchildren, Laura R. Wright and husband Ricky and Brian Rountree and wife Holly C.; two great-granddaughters, Taylor Rountree and Madison Wright; two great-grandsons, Mason Wright and Hunter Rountree, all of Newsoms; two sisters, Jacqueline E. Vann and husband, Robert and Mildred E. Catlett and husband Alton; one brother, B.F. Ellis and wife Bernice; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in Newsoms Baptist Church with the Rev. Jason Wise and the Rev. Kenneth Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, and suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Newsoms Baptist Church, 29347 Main St., Newsoms, VA 23874. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.