Charles A. Ellis
SUFFOLK—Charles Ashley Ellis, 61, died Feb. 23, 2009.
As a young man Mr. Ellis worked as a roofer. He complained about the work a lot but he did truly love doing it.
Later in life his health began to get the best of him and he could no longer do this type of work. He worked at one of the local peanut factories for a short time after that.
Soon he was not physically able to perform this job so he moved to the next stage in his life… retirement disability.
He was bored with this to begin with, he embraced it the best way he knew how.
He was happy with the simple things in life. He was not one to sit still for long at the time.
He loved to keep the roadway hot. It could be just for a ride in the country, a trip to nowhere, or a quick trip to Food Lion. It really didn’t matter as long as he was going.
Once he got to where he was going you better keep watch because it would only be a few minutes and he would be sitting in the car anxiously waiting to leave.
Maybe to go home or just for another ride but you knew when he was ready to go without him saying a word.
He could certainly tell you where to eat, and not to eat because he paid many visits to local restaurants. He didn’t mind saying if the food was “fit to eat” or not.
He liked to ride to Murfreesboro and North Carolina to change up the scenery of places to eat. Never anything fancy, just good country cooking.
He loved to go fishing. In his younger years he and his Dad or he and his brother Mike would go to the Blackwater River.
Although he hadn’t been in a boat in a few years he still loved to cast a line down at Joyner’s Bridge.
Model cars were also one of his passions. In years past he probably put a model of every kind of car that there was together. He took pride in his models and proudly displayed them throughout the house. He could tell you the make, model and year of every one.
Before arthritis started affecting his hands he loved to draw.
Most of the drawings were of buildings. Some like you have never seen. Maybe he missed his calling as an architect.
Survivors include his mother, Ella Mae Butler Ellis; three sisters, Barbara Grewe of Suffolk, Linda Lassiter and husband Linwood of Franklin and Sandy Benton of Supply, N.C.; one brother, Mike Ellis and wife Debbie of Suffolk; four nieces; three nephews, and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Robert Melvin Ellis. He was a beloved brother, son, uncle and friend.
We will always have these memories of Charles but will miss his presence here with us.
We know in our hearts that he is in heaven with our Lord and this makes it all bearable.
Maybe he’s even walking on the streets of gold with his Dad and rejoicing in the Lord.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at Wright Funeral Home with Pastor T.R. King and Ashley Ellis officiating.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to service.
Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org.