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. [Read more…]