Cover photo for Thomas Herschel Ellis's Obituary
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1917 Thomas 2006

Thomas Herschel Ellis

August 3, 1917 — November 8, 2006

Thomas Herschel (Skeeter) Ellis was born August 3, 1917 in Martin, Tennessee, the son of the late Herman Cleo Ellis and the late Mary Hassel Jenkins.



Mr. Ellis attended the University of Tennessee Martin Junior College and Memphis State Teachers College (now the University of Memphis) where he graduated in 1939. He was an all-star running back at both schools and in 1938 led the Memphis Teachers College team to the conference championship and to what remains the only undefeated, untied season in school history. In his senior year, he was the third leading scorer in the nation and was selected to the all-conference team. He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at both schools. After graduation from college he served four years in the Air Force during World War II. He married the late Mauvaleen McCoy Ellis in 1941 and settled in Selmer, Tennessee after the war. He coached the first post-war Selmer High School football team in 1949 and founded the Selmer Little League. He worked as a merchant and insurance agent at Chambers-Ellis Insurance Agency in Selmer for 40 years. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Selmer, the Lions Club, and the Shriners. He also loved to play golf and attend the University of Memphis football games.



He departed this life on November 8, 2006 in Spanish Fort, Alabama at the age of 89 Years, 3 Months, 5 Days. Mr. Ellis is survived by two sons, Dr. Robert Franklin Ellis and wife Margaret Whidden Ellis of Tupelo, Mississippi, Dr. Thomas Warren Ellis and wife Donna Donner Ellis of Destin, Florida; four grandchildren, Jonathan Warren Ellis and wife Courtney of Memphis, Tennessee, Scott McCoy Ellis and wife Krista of Knoxville, Tennessee, Emily Elizabeth Ellis of Athens, Georgia, Robert Franklin Ellis Jr. of Tupelo, Mississippi; and one great grandchild, Marianna McCoy Ellis of Memphis, Tennessee.



Mr. Ellis was preceded in death by his parents, first wife of 49 years, Mauvaleen Ellis and his second wife, Ann Thornley Ellis.
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