Uncle Roy, you were so wise and I miss that since you are not here.  You told me so many things that I have looked back on and needed to talk  to you about and now I will have to wait.  I got so use to you being here that I didn't dare think about you leaving.  We need to talk and visit while  we are here, because it is so easy to take tomorrow for granted and sometimes tomorrow doesn't come for a person with all the answers.  I have loved you dearly for all of my life and death has not changed that.  Heaven is a little sweeter because you are there!!!  I look forward to seeing you again one day !!!   Rosa

On Friday September 11th I lost my very best friend and Uncle Roy Ellis !!  How can you describe a man who spent his entire life working for the good of his family and friends?  I knew his  love for all my life and will never know a person just like him.  He was always there for me through the years . He told me on one visit about pulling me around in his "little red wagon !!!  No wonder I loved him so much !!! I loved his and Esther's visits to Salisbury and us going to the mountains with our children and his Grandchildren Bryan and Kellie.  He loved coming to see us after his precious wife Esther died and we spent so much quality time with him.  After driving here so many times through the years he slowed down and started riding the train.  What a joy for us all when he arrived at the train station  and sadness when he left for his beloved town of Clayton.  We will never lose our memories of this wonderful man that I had the privilege of calling Uncle Roy !!!  Rest in peace my precious Uncle and I will meet you again one day on the other side !!!       Rosa

Aunt Esther and Uncle Roy were so welcoming to me each time Tim and I  saw them. I will remember him as a kind man with a wonderful smile. Tim has shared with me many fond memories.

I  went to spend a week with Uncle Roy and Aunt Esther when I was younger and I remember spying on my cousin Sylvia when she came home from a date.  You wouldn't think you would remember things like that but you do.  I think anyone that ever knew Uncle Roy loved him.  I wouldn't take anything in the world for the week I spent with them.  I had a ball.  Uncle Roy ,  I love you.

Rosa, Jean, Michael, Debbie, Sheila and Marilyn, you were next to  Uncle Roy   like his children so remember how  much he always loved you. He was the best!   Aunt Irene

(Continued from first memory)

We all thought Uncle Roy invincible but at times I think he thought it as well.  I remember that time, at age 90+ when he climbed a ladder to trim branches in a tree or retrieve something from the tree and he fell fracturing or breaking several ribs.  He told me that Sylvia told him he needed to hire someone to do those types of things and he said laughingly, I think she may be right.  I could go on and on talking about Uncle Roy and I hope in these days, weeks, months ahead of them that when his family think of him, they look back at all their memories of him and it brings them joy, not sadness.   Grief is very hard but these memories make it bearable.  There is no doubt in my mind that my Uncle Roy knew how very much I loved him and I know that I was among his loved ones as well.    I love you Uncle Roy.  

The only name I ever called this wonderful man was Uncle Roy and he was loved dearly by my family and I.  As a very small child my sister and our Mama, his Aunt Nannie, made frequent visits to see Uncle Roy, Aunt Esther and his Mother my Great Aunt Mattie.  Later, as a very young teen, these visits sometimes included getting a chance to hang out with my beautiful older teen cousin, Sylvia, who introduced me to her guy friends and a couple of girl friends too which to an impressionable teen was a great highlight.  Visits with Uncle Roy and Aunt Esther were always welcomed and continued right up until just a short time before Aunt Esther passed away.  Uncle Roy continued visiting us until he no longer drove long distances but my husband, my mother (Irene) and I continued visiting with dear sweet Uncle Roy.  Uncle Roy and my Dad grew up together and resembled one another greatly.  They were raised together in the same household and  were very close in age as well.  As a grown woman of sixty plus many more years, I cried every time I hugged Uncle Roy hello and when I hugged him goodbye.  I guess this was because he  looked so much like my own father who died many, many years ago but also because I loved Uncle Roy so much.  One of the last times I remember seeing Uncle Roy I was standing in line at my beloved husband's funeral waiting to go into the chapel, just going thru the motions, feeling dead inside myself, when I felt a hand on my shoulder.  I turned and there stood Uncle Roy, looking much like the Daddy I needed so much at that time,  He gave me a comforting  hug and whispered to me that I could get thru the next few days just as he had with Aunt Esther that it would be hard but I could do it.  As he spoke of Aunt Esther, he had tears in his eyes, a testament to the memory of his beautiful bride, the love of his life.  Uncle Roy loved his family, and no matter how distant a cousin, he remembered them all.  How he managed to do this I will never know.  (Continued)

Roy was one of a kind.  He was the Uncle every person would love to have.  He was one of my best friends and we loved him so much.  He has always been there.  He will be dearly missed !!!!

The picture of Roy you chose is perfect!  That smile is the one  I saw every time we met to visit——usually at Smithfield Bar B Q.  That wonderful smile is how I remember Roy; that smile and his soft unassuming voice .  Thank you.  Maggie

OBITUARY

Mr. Roy Lofton Ellis

30 July, 1926 – 11 September, 2020

McLaurin Funeral Home & Pinecrest Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services