Edmond Henry "Ed" Ellis - December 25, 1927 - March 3, 2013

 Matthew 6:33-34

(33) But seek first all His kingdom and His righteousness, then all these things taken together will be given you besides (34) So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries of its own

Edmond Henry Ellis, 85, left his temporary home to be with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, on March 3, 2013. Ed, or Papa Ed as he was affectionately called by many of his close friends, was born on December 25, 1927 in Roswell to Herbert and Eula Mae Ellis who preceded him in death.

Ed graduated from Roswell High School in 1945. He enlisted and served in the United States Navy in 1946 as a diesel mechanic/fireman and received an honorable discharge in 1949 with a rank of Petty Officer First Class. He started his lifelong career in floor covering with Neal's Builders Supply the very same year. In 1950, he met the love of his life, Donna Lemons, and they were married in 1951. On December 22, 2012, Ed and Donna celebrated their sixty-first wedding anniversary.

Ed was a member of Grace Community Church and had been involved in Cap Arlington's Boy's Club. He was a board member of the Music Evangelism Foundation, Gateway Christian School and a lifelong charter member of the Roswell Noon Optimist Club. Ed was a two-time past president of the Noon Optimist Club. With the Optimists, he mentored and directed two local boys to race and win in the Roswell Soapbox Derby and they then took their derby cars to the National races in Akron, Ohio.

Ed was a craftsman in all aspects of his life, whether it is building a cabinet, putting in a floor, water coloring or making crosses. Ed was also an avid hunter and spent many hours with his son and many dear friends in the great outdoors.

Ed is survived by his loving wife and the incredible mother of his children at their family home. His children are Pam Massie and her husband Lloyd of Austin, Texas; Patti Waters and her husband Michael of Dallas, Texas and Eddie and his wife Jill, of Roswell. Ed's grandchildren are Matthew Massie, Meredith and Scott West, Jonathan and Megan Waters, Benjamin Waters, Ryan Ellis and Zane Ellis. His great-grandchildren are Luke Waters, Grayson Waters, Jude Waters, Baird Waters and Ellis West. Ed is also survived by Kay and Mark Nichols, Gina Thompson, many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by all of his siblings: Barbara Davis, Olivia Russell, Herbert Ellis Jr., Sylvia Pease, Sandra Williams, Sammy Ellis and one grandson, Neal Massie.

The Ellis family would like to thank their extended church families for all the prayers, kind words, thoughts, and meals you provided during our daddy's illness and at our time of sorrow. A huge debt of gratitude goes out to Anita, Angie and Dennis from Roswell Homecare and Hospice for all the hard work and dedication to our papa and family. May you all be richly blessed!

Ed's Memorial service will be held on Monday, March 11, 2013. The celebration will be at 1:00 PM at Grace Community Church, located 935 West Mescalero Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Roswell Noon Optimist Club or the Neal Massie Foundation, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX 79699.

Arrangements are under the directions of Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory.