Samuel Franklin Ellis, Sr

Samuel Franklin Ellis, Sr., age 73, of McCook, passed away Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, at Tri-Valley Hospital in Cambridge, Nebraska.

He was born to Albert Ray and Cassie Lee (McDonald) Ellis on Nov. 11, 1938, in Advance, North Carolina.

He moved with his family to Benkelman, Nebraska where he began his education at the country school at Doane. The family later returned to North Carolina where he graduated in the Class of 1957 from Southwest High School, Clemmons, North Carolina.

Sam was united in marriage to Lavine Lamora Denny on Dec. 25, 1959, at Central Tabernacle Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They resided in the Winston-Salem area where he became a truck driver and had two sons. In 1967, while driving for McLean Trucking Company, he survived the Silver Bridge Collapse at Point Pleasant, West Virginia, being seriously injured.

Sam moved his family to Stratton, Nebraska in 1975, continuing his career as a truck driver. Additionally he served with the Nebraska Army National Guard a total of 18 years. After becoming an employee for the Nebraska State Department of Roads, he moved to McCook, Nebraska, and retired with 22 years of service.

Most recently, he attended McCook First Church of the Nazarene.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Ray and Cassie Lee Ellis, and one brother, Harold Wayne Ellis, all of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Sam is survived by his wife, Lavine D Ellis of McCook, two sons, Samuel F. Ellis Jr. "Sam" of Copperas Cove, Texas and James W. Ellis "Jim" of Richmond, Virginia and one brother, Jerry Ray Ellis. Additional survivors include three granddaughters, Lori, Ruthie and Sammie, two uncles, Glenn Ellis and wife, Betty of Benkelman, Foye McDonald and wife, Hazelene of Troy, North Carolina and one aunt, Marjorie Reisher of Benkelman.

Funeral services for Sam Ellis will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 30, 2011, at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook, with the Rev. Brian Bowman officiating. Internment will follow in Memorial Park in McCook.

The Women of McCook First Church of the Nazarene will provide a meal for funeral attendees after the graveside services.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, from 1 -8 p.m. The immediate family will be present from 6-8 p.m. to greet visitors.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements