Troy Edward "Ed" Ellis, Jr.

Troy Edward “Ed” Ellis passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Known to his friends as Ed, he was affectionately called Daddy, Dad, and Pop by those who loved him most.

Born on October 26, 1940, in Booneville, Mississippi, to Ruby and Troy Ellis, Ed spent his formative years in Corinth, MS, where he attended Corinth High School and excelled as a three-sport athlete. In 1959, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies and played a season of Single-A baseball in Bradenton, Florida. But he was drawn back to Corinth by the love of his life, Charlotte Wheeler. They married in 1960 and shared a devoted life together until her passing in 2019.

Ed spent the majority of his professional career in the office products/office furniture industry, working primarily with Graham Paper Company, Pearce Office Equipment, and Lane Furniture Company.

A lifelong sports fan, Ed loved his Cleveland Indians (he never quite accepted the name change to the Guardians), the Browns, Ole Miss football—and, in a curious twist, the Tennessee Vols. He was also an avid collector of baseball cards and memorabilia, and he had a deep appreciation for history and old western films.

Ed’s lasting legacy was found in his volunteer work as “Coach Ellis” in Jackson’s youth sports community. He spent over a decade coaching Junior and Senior Pro football for the Jackson Recreation Department, led church league basketball teams for seven years, and dedicated 15 summers to coaching Dixie Youth and Babe Ruth baseball at Pope Park. In his later years, he continued sharing his passion by offering individual instruction in hitting and pitching. Altogether, he positively influenced the lives of more than 1,000 young athletes. He also passed his love of sports on to his children and grandchildren—rarely missing a game.

Pop took immense pride in his children, their spouses, his grandchildren, and his great-granddaughter. Though he and his beloved Charlotte never attended college themselves, they were determined to ensure that all four of their children did. He shared strong, meaningful relationships with his sons-in-law and daughter-in-law, treating them as his own. A devoted member of Northside Church for more than 46 years, he was deeply involved in the Seekers Sunday School Class and active in the Emmaus Community.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Troy Ellis Sr., and Ruby Patterson, and by his wife, Charlotte. He is survived by his four children: Jill Ellis Jones (Tom), Jan Ellis Shock (Roger), Russ Ellis (Karen), and Holly Ellis McClung (Kevin). He is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Addison Shock (Kadie), Carson Shock, Taylor Shock, Bradley Jones, Kennedy Shock Maestri (Jacob), Rusty Ellis, Camden Shock, Keaton Ellis, Claire McClung, Annabelle McClung, Asher McClung, and Genevieve McClung; and by one great-granddaughter, Charlotte Anne Maestri.

SERVICES: A visitation with family and friends will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2025 in the Chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors beginning at 4:00 p.m. and continuing until 6:00 p.m. and again on Monday at Northside Church beginning at 10:00 a.m.  The funeral service honoring Ed's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Northside Church with Rev. Garry Campbell and Dr. David Comperry officiating.  Burial will follow at Ridgecrest Cemetery.

Those serving as pallbearers will be Ben Hays, Addison Shock, Rusty Ellis, Jacob Maestri, Camden Shock, and Asher McClung.

The family is requesting that memorial donations in Ed's memory be directed to Northside Church, 2571 N. Highland Ave., Jackson, TN 38305 or online at www.northsidejackson.com or to the Alzheimer's Association online at www.alz.org.