Donald Hugh Ellis

Philippians 1:21
 ‘’ For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
 
 2 Timothy 4:6-8
 ‘ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
 
 Donald Hugh Ellis of Huntsville, Alabama, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 3, 2024.

Don was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on March 8, 1927. He was the son of the late Clyde M. and Ora B. Ellis. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Sonia, who went to heaven on March 4, 2024, his son, Donald H. Ellis, Jr., and his brother James O. Ellis. 

Don is survived by his children Karen Jelliff (Alan), Steve Ellis (Sherri), and Patricia Hart (Doug), grandchildren Chase Ellis (Heather), Haley Fallon, Hannah Ellis (Steve Raposo), Josiah Ellis (Karolina), Jonathan Hart (Laura), Rachel Hart, Donald H. Ellis lll, and great grandchildren Sonia Ellis, Mira Ellis, Anastasia Ellis, Charles Ellis, and Hania Farlow. 

He served his country as a member of the Greatest Generation in World War ll. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. He married Sonia Johnson in 1950. They were married for nearly 74 years. Don graduated from Clemson with a degree in electrical engineering and attended MIT. Don worked for various companies in South Carolina, Massachusetts, Florida, and Tennessee before coming to Huntsville, Alabama to work with SCI in the space program. 

Don’s life was one of many accomplishments, however, he was not one who bragged about his achievements and himself. Family was the most important thing to Don. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Don was a faithful caretaker of his wife, Sonia, who experienced multiple health challenges. Don gave God all the glory in his ability to be her caretaker.

 Don and Sonia were long time members of the Whitesburg Baptist Church and they loved their church. 

There will be a visitation from 11:00 to 11:45am, May 15, with a graveside service to follow at noon at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel in Spartanburg, SC. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Chapel at Whitesburg Baptist Church South campus, Huntsville, AL, on May 23, at 1:00pm with visitation to be held at noon. 

It was Don’s joy to give his life in service to Christ by caring for Sonia. Don often said it was his God given mission. Caring for someone epitomizes the heart of Jesus himself who said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,” (Mark 10:45). ”For no greater love does a man have for another, than when he lays his life down for that person.” (John 15:13). 

We rejoice that he is now experiencing the joy of the presence of his Savior and is reunited with Sonia and the redeemed in Heaven. 

Sweet Beulah Land “Beulah Land I’m longing for you And some day on thee I’ll stand There my home shall be eternal Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land.”