Charlie Thomas Ellis, 86, of Suffolk, died Monday, March 17, 2003.

A native of Winfall, N.C., he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mary Pauline Kilpatrick Ellis. He was a son of the late Mary Albertson and Joe Elliott Ellis, and was also predeceased by his son Luther Carlton Ellis and eight brothers and sisters.

He resided with his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Thomesine and Bobby Draper, and had retired after 25 years from A&P Peanut Co. as a production Foreman. He also worked part-time for Angus I. Hines Oil Co. on Holland Road, Lakeside and West End.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in which he attended the Men and Women’s Sunday School Class. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post No. 2582 and American Legion Post No. 57. He was a charter member of the Suffolk Moose Lodge No. 141, and was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army. He also served in the Pacific directly under Gen. Douglas MacArthur. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Mary Thomesine E. and Bobby Draper of Suffolk; son and daughter-in-law, Lonnie Charles and Linda Ellis of Charlotte, N.C.; grandchildren, Mary Yvonne Faulker of New York City, N.Y.; and Velvet Rene Calhoun of Charlotte; step grandchildren, David Young and Pamela Young; great-grandchild, Robert Draper Faulkner of New York City; brother, Ray Ellis of Suffolk; a niece and nephews, Debbie Thomas, Sammy Cowan and Wayne Eure of Suffolk.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in Parr Funeral Home with Dr. David H. Chauncey officiating. Interment with military honors will be in Holly Lawn Cemetery.

Friends may join the family from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home, and other times at the residence of Mary Thomesine and Bobby Draper at 807 E. Riverview Dr., Suffolk.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church at 237 N. Main St., Suffolk, Va. 23434, or the Nansemond Suffolk Rescue Squad at P.O. Box 1515, Suffolk, Va. 23439.