Rex Ellis

Mr. Rex Bradley Ellis, 65, of Harmony, passed away on Monday, October 21, 2013, at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, NC. Mr. Ellis was born in Iredell County and was the son of the late Lynn Eugene and Mary Magdalene Campbell Ellis. He was a graduate of West Mecklenburg High School class of 1966. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Vietnam War and Gulf War. He also served in the Kentucky Army National Guard from 1994 thru 2001. Mr. Ellis was a lifelong member of Zion Baptist Church in Harmony. A well educated man, Mr. Ellis had received numerous degrees and has had a lifelong love of education. He held a Mine Management Bachelors of Science from Murray State University. He also held the following Associate Degrees from Madisonville Community College (KCTCS): Coal Mining Technology, Registered Respiratory Therapy and Registered Nursing. Early on, he was employed by his father in the family construction business as a master craftsman and carpenter. He worked for Peabody (Amax) Coal Corporation, Madisonville Community College as an Adjunct Professor, Regional Medical Center as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, Logan County Hospital and Western State Hospital as a Registered Nurse. He was employed by the state of Kentucky as a Surveyor for the Office of the Inspector General. He also served as the head of the Board of Directors in the Church On the Hill, Boston Society of New Jerusalem,Inc.-Swedenborgian where his brother Rev. G. Steven Ellis pastored. He chose an early retirement from his nursing career in order to care selflessly for his ailing parents. Mr. Ellis was awarded Kentucky's highest title of honor as a lifelong member of the Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels by the Governor and Secretary of State of Kentucky for his service in the medical field. He was a kind and gentle man who left a legacy of learning, ingenuity, hard work, sacrifice and service for the future generations. Mr. Ellis is survived by his daughter, Alexandra Elizabeth Ellis Ayers and her husband Doug of Bowling Green, KY, a grandson, William Craig Ayers and a granddaughter, Molly Campbell Ayers, both of Bowling Green, and one brother, Rev. Glenn Steven Ellis of Harmony. He is also survived by four aunts, Lessie Williams, Martha Campbell, Kathleen Ellis and Laura Ellis and one uncle, Luther Campbell along with numerous cousins. A memorial service with full military honors for Mr. Ellis will be conducted Thursday, October 24, at 4:00 pm at Zion Baptist Church in Harmony with Rev. Joey Tomlin officiating. The family will visit with friends following the memorial service. The family will be assembled at other times at the home of Martha Campbell, 543 Mullis Road, Harmony, NC. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Rex Ellis.