Charles "Chuck" Lewis Ellis

Charles Lewis Ellis, age 77, of Marion, North Carolina passed away Saturday, June 10, 2017 at the SECU Hospice House in Forest City. He was born November 25, 1939 to the late Stokes and Annie Ellis.

In addition to his parents, Chuck is preceded in death by one sister, Corrine Duncan and her husband Earl, along with their two sons, Jon and Mark Duncan.

Chuck was a graduate of Marion High School class of 1958, a close and active group which brought him much comradeship and joy. He earned an Associate’s degree from McDowell Technical College and was a member of the first cohort of the Industrial Management 2+2-degree program at Appalachian State University. He proudly served two terms aboard naval aircraft carriers in the United States Navy, where he reached the rank of Ordnance man, 2nd class (AO2). He was a founding member and past president of the Marion Jaycees. He was an elder and served in many leadership roles as a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, where all three of his and Marty’s children were baptized and confirmed in faith.

Chuck was a retired employee of Leviton Manufacturing, Southern Devices, where he worked twenty-five years as the Customer Service Manager. He formerly owned and operated Chuck Ellis Exxon (Esso) in downtown Marion. He was also a retired employee of the Asheville Citizen and Asheville Times newspapers.

Those who knew and loved Chuck Ellis will remember and miss him as an avid woodworker, a consummate handyman, a self-proclaimed McDowell County historian, an extraordinary storyteller and “yarn spinner”, an indulgent grandfather, a pesky, a proud and opinionated brother, a loyal friend, a nosy and gossipy neighbor, a cherished defender, a brilliant conversationalist, a WrestleMania III (unstoppable force vs immovable object) dad, an inappropriately funny father-in-law, a respected and beloved mentor, and a faithful and loving husband.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife Martha (Marty) Shields Ellis; one daughter, Amelia Sword; two sons, Matthew Ellis and wife Sara and Mark Ellis and wife Amber; five granddaughters, Grace and Alyson Sword, and Madeleine, Rachel, and Hayden Ellis; one brother, Wayne Ellis and wife Pat; one sister, Sue Boone and husband Charles; numerous nephews and one very special niece, Rebekkah Duncan.

A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at Glenwood United Methodist Church with Reverend Dennis Burleson officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. one hour prior to the service at the church.