Birth Date: 06/21/1950
Deceased Date: 09/06/2023
Donald (Don) Ellis, age 73, of Princeton passed away peacefully and went to his heavenly home September 6, 2023, after being diagnosed with lung cancer in June of 2022. Born June 21, 1950, Don was preceded in death by his parents Donald (Donnie) Ellis and Mary Aycock Ellis, a sister Suette Ellis Sullivan, two nephews Timothy Dwayne Slaughter and Stacey Glen Jones.
He is survived by his loving wife of almost 53 years Sandra Parrish Ellis, son Donovan Ellis (Carla) of Four Oaks and daughter Crystal Ellis Fulcher (Linne) of Gravette, Arkansas, grandsons Jacob Ellis and Brycen Fulcher, granddaughters Bryana Fulcher and Braydin Fulcher, and great granddaughter Bella Fulcher. He is also survived by sisters Debbie Slaughter (Stan) of Mars Hill, Angie Thompson (Randy) of Pine Level, Tammy Ellis Weeks of Pine Level, five nephews, ten neices, and one Aunt Harlene Sasser of Pikeville.
Don attended Pine Level School and graduated from North Johnston High School in 1968, where he met his best friend of over 60 years Danny Edwards and another friend Doyle Evans. As teenagers, they called themselves the three DE’s. He married his loving wife Sandra in October of 1970. Don began doing electrical work as a small boy with his father. Through the years, he worked a short while at Winn Dixie, served four years in the North Carolina Army National Guard, and held several positions at Sylvania while also working with his father. When Sylvania moved operations out of state, he decided to obtain his North Carolina electrical license and start his own electrical contracting business, Don F. Ellis Electric. Don was a great and valuable electrician to the community, licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina. He was a perfectionist in his career along with his devoted wife, Sandra, and for a time his son Donovan. There are not many areas in Johnston County without a house, business, or church he has not wired, remodeled, or serviced.
He and his wife enjoyed spending time with friends on camping trips in their younger years and a cruise and bus trip as time went on as well as yearly beach trips with their kids and grands. He loved his family dearly and was loved by so many. While always a believer, Don accepted Christ a few years ago and since then, his life, work, and involvement in his church has been a testament of his faith, which he would openly share to those he met.
He loved his church, Pine Level FWB, and the Pine Level Community. He did things with a true servant’s heart, setting an example for all who knew him. Don’s strong faith in God helped him deal with his cancer journey. Prayers were answered in many ways throughout his battle. God extended his time to enjoy another birthday and vacation with his beloved family for weeks at the beach. No doubt Don has earned his reward in Heaven. The family would like to thank the home Hospice team for their care during his last few weeks.
Visitation services will be September 15, from 7-9 pm, at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma. Funeral services will be September 16, 10 am at Pine Level FWB Church, followed by burial at Aycock Cemetery (2197-2351 Bizzell Grove Church Road).
Memorial contributions may be made to the Aycock Cemetery, care of Donovan Ellis 1607 Evans Rd, Princeton, NC 27569, or Pine Level FWB church, PO Box 337, Pine Level, NC 27568.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at Parrishfh.com
