Donald V. Ellis

August 1, 1933 – October 22, 2018

Donald V. Ellis, age 85 of Gardendale, Alabama, went home to be with our Lord on October 22, 2018. He was a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather, brother and friend. He graduated from Hackleburg High School in 1953. Don was a member of the Gardendale Church of Christ.

Don grew up on a farm in Hackleburg, Alabama, and went to Hackleburg High School where he played many sports, but his favorite was football. He joined the military in 1954 and shortly after he was discharged, he moved to Birmingham, Alabama. He worked for Bell South for 27 years and retired in 1996. In 2005, Don was inducted into the Marion County Sports Hall of Fame.

Don loved his family and spending time with them. He loved his hometown of Hackleburg, Alabama, and the friends he grew up with there. He never missed his high school annual alumni banquet. He loved Alabama football and fishing with his son, grandson and his friends. After retirement his greatest joy was spending time with his grandson, Jordan. In his later years he loved his riding lawnmower and cutting grass for others, whether they wanted him to or not. Above all, Don loved the Lord and his desire was for others to come to know Him.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Silas Verman Ellis and Oma Hall Ellis.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Gail Rotton Ellis, his daughter Sheila Ellis of Helena, his son Jeffrey D. Ellis of Pawnee (Alicia), his grandson Jordan W. Ellis of Helena, his brother Wendell Ellis (Bobbie) of Smyrna, Tennessee, his uncle J.D. Ellis of Mount Olive, his aunt Bertha Johnston (Ellis) of Hillview; nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Celebration of Life services will be held at Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel with time of visitation, Thursday, October 25, 2018 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. The funeral service will be on Friday, October 26, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with grave side services to follow at Oakwood Memorial Gardens. Jeff May will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Southern Care New Beacon Hospice.