Francis Joe "Fizz" Ellis

Francis “Fizz” Joe Ellis, age 79, of Tyler, passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, April 27, 2012 at East Texas Medical Center. He was born on May 23, 1932 in Flint to David Hugh and Nealie Bell (Bain) Ellis, they preceded him in death. Fizz married the love of his life, Virginia Ann Baker, on June 1, 1957 in Hugo, Oklahoma and together they spent the next 54 years raising a family and living a lifetime of memories. Fizz worked as an overhead crane operator for Tyler Pipe for 35 years. He was a member of Gateway Baptist Church in Whitehouse. Those who knew Fizz best will remember him as a hard working family man who enjoyed his gardens, loved playing with his grand babies, and loved riding with Gene Autry.

Mr. Ellis is survived by his wife, Virginia Ellis, of Tyler; children, David Ellis, Lisa Barber, and husband Rob, and Ellen Shawver, and husband Sean; brother, James Mack Ellis; sister, Jeannie Smith; and by 5 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Services for Mr. Ellis will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, April 30, 2012 at Lloyd James Funeral Home with Pastors Rick Sydnor and Ron Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Flint Cemetery with Cody Baker, Ronnie Baker, Will Barber, Brad Casey, Bo Ellis, and Chad Ellis serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Sunday evening at the funeral home.