Obituary: James Eugene Ellis, Jr., 81

The following is an obituary submitted by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory:

Mr. James Eugene Ellis, Jr., born August 16, 1931 in Griffin Georgia, died July 16, 2013 in Hoover, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his father, James E. Ellis, Sr., mother, Annie Katherine Bartles Ellis and brother, Emory Darnell Ellis.

He was a 10th generation Ellis going back to the year 1655 in America and proud of his southern heritage. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War (June 1950-July 1953). He served from January 19, 1951, and was Honorable Discharged with the rank of Second Class Petty Officer (E-5) on December 8, 1954. His service (vessels and stations served on) include the USNTS San Diego, California: Class A Teleman School, San Diego, CA; Commandant Thirteenth Naval District Communication Station, BWKC, Seattle, Washington, where he met his beloved wife.

The USS Columbus CA74, homeport Boston, Mass; USS Northampton CLC 1, homeport Norfolk, VA and USS Mississippi BB 41, homeport Norfolk, VA. He was a member of the USS Columbus Veterans Association; U.S. Navy Cruiser Sailors Association:; Life Member Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 668, Birmingham, AL; Life member Sons of Confederate Veterans Association Fighting Joe Wheeler Camp # 1372, Vestavia Hills, AL; Master Mason, Bluff Park Lodge # 856, Hoover, AL; Royal Arch Mason Woodlawn York Rite Bodies, Pinson, AL; Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine Zamora Temple, Birmingham, AL and First Baptist Church of Cedartown, GA.

He was a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of H K, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources.

He is survived by daughters, Karen Sue Weed (Joe), Beverly Ann Higbea (Robert), son, James Eugene Ellis III (Joanne); grandson, James E. Ellis IV and valued friend, Barbara Broadway.

Graveside services will be held at the family plot in the old section of Oak Hill Cemetery in Griffin, GA on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 11:00 A.M.

On his tomb is engraved the following: "The greatest mistake I ever made was marrying a Yankee."

Notable ancestors are Great Grandfather, Private Samuel Monroe, Confederate States Army, 63th Georgia Volunteers and Great-Great Grandfather, Private William Ellis, Revolutionary War and one of the founders of Spalding County, Georgia.