Jimmie Lee Ellis, age 73, of Bangs passed away unexpectedly Friday, February 21, 2020 at home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at Rocky Creek Baptist Church with his friend, Pastor Rick Justice, conducting the services.  Burial will follow in the Bangs Cemetery under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home of Early.

Visitation will be held at the church from 1:30-2:30 p.m. prior to the services.

Jimmie was born September 19, 1946 in Brownwood, Texas to Plas J. ‘Shorty’ & Ilene (Hodges) Ellis.  Jimmie had many great memories and made lifetime friends from his years at Coggin Elementary and Brownwood High School.  After meeting at ‘Lyons Drive In’ and a whirlwind courtship, Jimmie proposed to Betty Reynolds on Valentine’s Day 1965.  Immediately after high school graduation – Brownwood for Jimmie and Bangs for Betty – they married on June 5, 1965 at Bangs First Baptist Church.  Jimmie soon went to work for the Texas Parks and Wildlife and the couple moved to San Angelo.  That was home to them for the next 11 years.  During that time, Jimmie made a career change when he went to work for General Telephone Company.  In 1977, they were transferred to Brownwood.  Jimmie retired in 1993 from GTE and began his second career when he purchased Ellis & Son Feed in Bangs.  He spent many pleasurable hours there visiting with friends, where there was a lot of friendly competition at the domino table with plenty of coffee and soda pops and suckers for all the kids.  June 2015 was special for Jimmie & Betty when they celebrated Jimmie’s second retirement and their 50th wedding anniversary.

Jimmie’s greatest joy was spending time with his family and he has spent hours supporting his kids and grandkids in all their activities.  Two of his favorite things to do were taking them hunting and playing ball.  Jimmie worked diligently in his community for many years.  He currently served on the Bangs Housing Authority and was a member of the Bangs Lions Club.  He has been a school board member, Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader and Good Samaritan volunteer.  Rocky Creek Church and his church family had a special place in his heart.

The loved ones left to cherish the many wonderful memories of Jimmie as a husband, dad and Papa are his wife, Betty; his daughter, Debbie Harris and husband, Jeff; his son, Zac Ellis; his grandsons, Brennan Harris & wife, Kylee and Colton Harris; and the newest addition, little great-granddaughter, Kinsler Harris; his brother-in-law, Bob Reynolds and wife Robin and his brother-in-law, Kenneth Chambers; his aunt, Irene Ashcraft; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Jimmie was preceded in death by his son, Robert James Ellis; his parents; his sister, Brenda Chambers; and his wife’s parents, Robert & Vada Reynolds.

Condolences, memories and tributes can be shared with the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net