Jerome “Jake” Ellis, age 79 passed away peacefully in the morning on Wednesday June 1, 2016 at Crown Pointe Care Center in Columbus, OH. He was born February 7, 1937, in Surry County, VA to Miles Doss Ellis and Precious (Howell) Ellis. He was a 1956 graduate of Luther P Jackson High School. Shortly afterwards, he enlisted into the United States Air Force and reached the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-5). After retiring honorably with over 20 years of service from the Air Force, he went to work for the U.S. Postal Service. There he worked in maintenance, where he literally fixed and maintained everything at the main Post Office in Columbus. Upon his retirement from the Post Office in 1999, he had spent over 40 years working proudly in one form or another for the United States government. Jerome was a hard working and caring man who would give you the shirt off his back. Everyone knew Big Daddy as he was called. He never met a stranger.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years Barbara Ann Richard Ellis of Columbus, OH; sons, Jerome L. Ellis (Dona) of Hopewell, VA, and Christopher J. Ellis (Denise) of Lewis Center, OH; daughter, Joan Ellis Crutcher (Stephen) of South Prince George County, VA; sister, Emily Ellis Clayton (Roger) of Surry County, VA; previous wife Essie Mae Stringfield Ellis of Surry County, VA; 10 Grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his previously mentioned parents; son Dwayne Ellis; brothers, Lawrence Ellis (Grace), J. Andrew Ellis (Lucy), Fred Ellis (Elizabeth), Horace Ellis (Catherine), and Alvin Ellis.