Howard L. Ellis
NEWSOMS—Howard Lee Ellis, 83, died 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 US Navy during WWII as an Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class stationed on the aircraft 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, he continued to farm part-time with his son-in-law and friends, Larry Holloman and J.L. Porter.
He was an original member of Newsoms 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.
Surivors include 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 service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in Newsoms Baptist Church with the Revs. Jason Wise and Kenneth Williams officiating.
Burial will follow in Hollywood Cemetery.
The family was to receive friends Saturday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wright Funeral Home and suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Newsoms Baptist Church, 29347 Main St., Newsoms, VA 23874.
Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org.