Roddey S. Ellis Jr.

Roddey S. Ellis, Jr., 91, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2013 following a brief illness. Born March 3, 1922, in Due West, he was the son of the late Hazzie Betts and Roddey S. Ellis, Sr. He was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Frances Reid Ellis. Mr. Ellis is survived by his wife, Armena Johnson Ellis; three sons, Roddey "Joe" Ellis, III (Jane) of Johns Island, Reid Ellis of Columbia and Betts Ellis (Traci) of Mount Pleasant; five grandchildren, Steven (Molly), Sloan, Carter, Bowen and Grayson Ellis; and one great-granddaughter, Avery Ellis. Mr. Ellis was a graduate of Erskine College. He was a member of the 513th Fighter Pilot Squadron and fought in the WWII European Theatre, including the D-Day Normandy invasion. Following his tour of duty, he served as a test pilot at Dover Air Force Base before returning to Due West. Mr. Ellis was owner of the Due West Oil Mill. He was a lifetime member of the Due West Associate Reformed Presbyterian church where he served as deacon and elder. He also served as a director of the Commercial Bank for thirty-five years. Mr. Ellis was awarded the Governor's Order of the Silver Crescent for Community Service in 2007. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 in the Due West ARP Church cemetery. The family will receive friends immediately following on the church lawn. Memorials may be made to the Due West ARP Church Cemetery Fund, 112 N. Main Street, Due West, SC 29639. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES of Abbeville is assisting the Ellis family.