Obituary: Wendell Leroy Ellis

Wendell Leroy Ellis, 90, of Lenoir City, passed peacefully on Oct. 31.

He was born Nov. 24, 1922, in Alva, Ky., to R.W. and Nora Ellis. He was the oldest son of eight children. The family moved to Lenoir City in 1941. He served in the Navy during 1942-43. He was a retired millwright from the Oak Ridge Y-12 plant.

Leroy was married to the love of his life Mary Jo Newman Ellis. They enjoyed 66 years together. Mary Jo preceded him in death by only five days.

He is survived by his children, Yvonne Hart of Oak Ridge, Darlene Smith of Morristown, and Tonya Brashears and Wendell Ellis of Lenoir City; his brother Claude Ellis of Huntsville, Ala.; and sisters Wanda Ross and Ernestine Blanton of Lenoir City, and Irmagene Wakefield of Marietta, Ga.

He was preceded in death by his sisters Thelma Hill, Ailene Preston, and Sharon Ellis, and brother Dan Ellis all of Lenoir City. Leroy and Mary Jo have 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at the Sixth Ave Church of God in Lenoir City on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 5-7 p.m., and a celebration service will be held from 7-8 p.m., officiated by Dr. Ernie Varner and the Rev. Charles Fritts.

A graveside service will be Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. at the Lakeview Cemetery officiated by the Reverend James C. Bandy.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sixth Avenue Church of God.