Ronald Alton Ellis

Mr. Ronald Alton Ellis, 79, of Mount Airy, passed away peacefully at his home in the early hours of Saturday, November 4, 2023.  Mr. Ellis was born January 2, 1944, in Surry County, the son of the late John Luther and Louise Lillian McGhee Ellis.  Ron graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1962, before matriculating at East Carolina College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1967.  Upon graduation from East Carolina, Ron’s professional career spanned from professional-level positional role opportunities within the specialty areas of general management, human resources, personnel management, and professional executive recruitment search services for leading organizations, such as Union Carbide, PPG Industries in numerous locations, including Puerto Rico, where his son, Jeffrey was born, Quality Mills, and Management Recruiters International.  Ron served as president of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce in the 1980s, president of the Surry County Personnel Management Association, a member of the Surry Economic Development Partnership, a member of the East Carolina University Alumni Association, and a member of the East Carolina University Educational Foundation/East Carolina University Pirate Club.  Additionally, Mr. Ellis was a member of the Church Personnel Committee Ministry Team at First Baptist Church in Mount Airy, as well as numerous civic roles, community leadership roles, and masterful servant leader.  He is survived by his loving and supportive wife of 49 years, Diana Oliverio Ellis; a daughter and son-in-law, Paige and Alan Zawatsky; a son, Jeffrey Brian Ellis; two grandsons, Kenneth Louis “Kenny” Beyer, Jr. and his wife, Carley, and Koby Zawatsky; several, beloved nieces and nephews, Kim Bruner, Greg Everhart (Kathy), Aaron Abbott (Mi Son), and Christopher Lee Abbott; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Ellis was preceded in death by an infant sister, Mary Louise Ellis; two sisters and a special brother-in-law, Betty Jo Abbott and Carol Sue and Delmar Everhart; a nephew, Jon Abbott; and a niece, Donna Abbott Gates.  A service of worship and celebration of Ron’s life will be held Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jay Meadows officiating.  The family will receive friends Tuesday from 10:00 until 11:00 AM in the Fireside Room at First Baptist Church.  A private inurnment will take place at a later date in the columbarium at Oakdale Cemetery.  The family wishes to express their earnest appreciation for the calls and visits from friends, family, and classmates and special sentiments for the supportive care from the staff at Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, especially, Donna Keck, Anita Wallace, Kathleen McCullough, and Dr. Bivins .  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 714 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC  27030; Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 1427 Edgewood Drive, Suite 101, Mount Airy, NC  27030; or a charity of the donor’s choice.  Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.