James R. "Buddy" Ellis Jr.

1941 - 2025

PONTOTOC - James R. "Buddy" Ellis, Jr., 83, passed away September 16, 2025, at his home peacefully, surrounded by his devoted and loving family. Buddy was born September 25, 1941, to James R. Ellis Sr. and Ruth Williams Ellis in Shannon, MS. Buddy graduated from Shannon High School in 1959. He met his sweetheart and true love, Carolyn "Sue" Roye and they married on June 30, 1962. They were married 63 wonderful years. Buddy worked several jobs before finding his way to Rockwell/Delta International. He retired in 2006, after 40 years of service. He also loved to farm the land in Chiwapa bottom with his daddy, brother, and son. He loved to hunt and fish and could cook a good deer stew. He was a jack of all trades, could fix almost anything he put his mind to. He was the dad every child should have in life. Buddy was a dedicated, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Buddy was all about family vacations to the Smoky Mountains, Gulf Shores, and even out west to Canada. He loved serving his Lord. He was a humble and faithful servant. He loved reading and studying the Bible. One of his favorite verses was Ephesians 2:8-9. Buddy was an active member and deacon at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church until his health began to decline in 2020. He was also a member of the Pontotoc Chapter of Freemasonry.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn Sue Roye Ellis, daughter Melissa Ellis Edwards (Bruce), son Greg Ellis (Lisa), two granddaughters that he doted on, Mallory Ellis and Courtney Ellis Bethune (Luke), four great grandchildren that he treasured tremendously, Makinsley, Ryleigh James, Brooks, and Wrenley, his siblings Jean Bobo, Pat Stegall (Ronald), Jo Stegall, Andy Ellis (Barbara), Judy Jennings (Dean), and Dale Robinson (Walter), several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and his special friends, Leith and Linda Roye.

He is preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, baby sister, Virginia, niece, Angie Vanlandingham, nephew, Mark Plunkett, and brothers-in-law, Thomas Bobo and Donald Stegall.

Services will be held at 2PM Friday, September 19, 2025, at Baldwin Memorial Funeral Home in Pontotoc with Bro. Fred Hartley and Bro. Paul Sims officiating. Visitation will be Thursday evening 5-8PM and Friday afternoon 12PM until service time. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Carson Burcham, Kevin Stegall, Randy Stegall, Nic Nichols, Jerry Hampton, and Ed Roye. Honorary pallbearers will be Leith Roye, Larry Spencer, Clyde Roye, Jr., Dennis Henderson, Sammy Barlow, Mark Hall, David Hall, Greg Hall, David Jennings, Danny Bobo, AJ Ellis, Luke Bethune, and Brooks Bethune.

Special thanks to Gentiva Hospice Caregivers, Miss Vickie, Megan, Matthew, Rachel. Rebecca, and all of the staff.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Pleasant Grove Cemetery Fund in care of:

Dennis Henderson, 917 Garrett Creek Loop, Pontotoc, MS 38863