LANCASTER, SC::::: Mr. Gene Heyward Ellis, age 77, died Tuesday, February 21, 2017. He was born October 3, 1939 in Monroe, NC, a son of the late Caster Jones Ellis and Myrtle Belk Ellis and was the husband of Freidlan Funderburk Ellis. Mr. Ellis was an auto mechanic and farmer. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and spending time with them, especially on his tractor. Mr. Ellis was a member of Springhill Baptist Church.

Mr. Ellis is survived by his wife of 57 years, Freidlan Funderburk Ellis; three sons, Joey Ellis and his wife, Rhonda, Todd Ellis and his wife, Tammy and Sean Ellis and his wife, Candice, all of Lancaster; a brother, Jim Ellis of Monroe; a sister, Gladys Autry also of Monroe; six grandchildren, Cassie Laney (Danny), Kristin Bowers (Tom), Cody Ellis (Halee), Colt Ellis, Knox Ellis and Emory Grace Ellis; and five great grandchildren, Matthew Bass, Zack Bass, Gavin Laney, Jaycee Sowell and Keegan Bowers.

Mr. Ellis was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Joe Ellis and three sisters, Rhea Ellis Belk, Mary Riggins and Billie Spurlock.

A Service of Remembrance for Mr. Ellis will be held at 5:30 PM Thursday evening, February 23, 2017 at Springhill Baptist Church by Rev. Brad Threatt. The family will receive friends following the service and suggest in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Springhill Baptist Church Food Ministry, 2245 Old Camden Monroe Highway, Lancaster, SC 29720.