Newnie Wesley Ellis

Newnie Wesley Ellis, Jr., pioneer Midland native, died at home, at age 92, on October 20th, 2011. He was born on September 27th, 1919, to Newnie W. Ellis, Sr., and Margaret Una Jelks Ellis of Midland. He attended Midland High School, Tarleton College, and Texas A&M, enlisting in the service during his senior year there. He served as an air traffic controller with the Army Air Corps in the China, Burma, India Theatre during WWII. Upon the death of his father, Newnie returned to Midland to help his mother in the operation of Ellis Funeral Home, while continuing to serve his country at Midland Air Field. Ellis Funeral Home, Midland’s oldest business, was founded in 1892 by Newnie’s grandfather, Dr. Newnan H. Ellis. His son, Newnie W. Ellis, Sr., continued to operate Ellis Funeral Home until his death in 1943. Newnie Ellis, Jr., in partnership with his mother and his sister, Kitty Ellis Donnell, managed and operated Ellis Funeral Home until 1993. Afterwards, he remained involved in the business (as did his nephew, David Donnell), often called on by Midlanders to help with the arrangements for their loved ones. As aptly written by Eddie Corrigan, Newnie Ellis had a calling, a calling from God to ease the pain of his fellow man as their loved ones made the transition from this earthly life to the next; a calling to help those around him. And those around him will tell you that no man was ever better suited for that job. In 2001, the Newnie Ellis family was inducted into the West Texas Heritage Hall of Fame for their service and contributions. In 1946, Newnie met Charlotte Jane Posey of Monticello, Arkansas. They married in 1947 at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, where Newnie was attending Dallas Mortuary School. They returned to live in Midland in 1948 and had two daughters, Angela and Priscilla (Cyd). Newnie started bird hunting as a boy and shot his last bird at age 90. Hunting and training his beloved English Setters was a lifelong passion. In his younger years, he also loved fishing, skiing, and sailing with family and friends. Newnie was an avid reader, loved and appreciated literature and poetry, and often quoted Rudyard Kipling, among others. Dancing was another favorite pastime, and, throughout their marriage, Newnie and Charlotte could be found on any given weekend night on a dance floor somewhere in West Texas. Newnie’s parents and his sister preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; daughters, Angie Ellis of Waller, Texas, and Cyd Ellis Kelly, and her husband, Tom Kelly, of Bryan, Texas; grandchildren, Ashley Elledge Neeson, and husband, Richey Neeson, of Fort Worth, and Richard (Buddy) Elledge of Seattle, Washington; great-granddaughters, Ellis Anne Neeson, and Eloise Neeson; niece, Ellis Anne (Missy) Moscoe, and husband, Dr. N. D. Moscoe, of Austin; nephews, Rob Donnell of Dallas and David Donnell and wife, Vicki, of Midland; Tom Kelly’s children, Kim and Mark Kelly, Brooke and Jim McCurdy, Adrienne and Zeek Wheale, Isla and Mike Carl; and numerous great nieces and nephews. Charlotte and Newnie are grateful for their loving neighbors and friends; the compassionate, professional help of caregivers, Felisa Villafranco, Amy Smith Jones, Alicia Muñoz, and Cruzelia Fernandez; Dr. Gregory Bartha, Jason Hudson, Kelly Reavis, and Patricia Hernandez of Hospice of Midland; Dr. David Watkins and Staff of Allison Cancer Clinic. A memorial service will be held Monday, October 24, 2011, at 11:00am at First Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Texas Avenue, Midland 79701. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be directed to First Presbyterian Church, Hospice of Midland (P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702), or the Allison Cancer Center (400 N. Garfield St. Suite 100, Midland, TX 97901). Condolences may be made at: www.ellisfunerals.com.