Jerry Dwight Ellis, 81, died at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 30, 2026  in Charleston, SC after a lengthy illness and not fulfilling his oft-repeated prediction that he would "die young." He  is predeceased by his brother, John L. Ellis of Tampa, FL, sister Ray Rachel Ellis Hedrick McCarthy of North Myrtle Beach, his father, John Luther Ellis and mother Elva Clamp Ellis of Columbia, SC and a plethora of four-legged family members he loved and cared for throughout his life.  His sister Bonnie McDaniel (Jerry) of Hendersonville, NC survives him along with a nearly innumerable collection of multiple generations of cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws whom he loved very much.

Jerry was born January 26th, 1945 in Columbia, SC, thoroughly enjoying life with his childhood buddies and making life interesting for his much older siblings and long-suffering parents. After a series of teen-aged mishaps and life lessons, he completed his GED during a tour in the Navy during the Vietnam war era. He married (and is survived by) Gail Brazell Ellis in 1966, just missing their 60th wedding anniversary at the time of his death.  They wasted no time growing their number by four children who also survive him:  Dina Ledford (Spenser) of Summerville, Trent Ellis (Tammy) of Chesnee, Stephanie "Stacy" Ellis Franzen of Mt. Pleasant and Travis Ellis (Carol) of Charleston.  He is also survived by his cherished "grandbabies":  Brynn Ellis Hurst (Camden "Cam") of Brooks, KY, Miles Franzen of Mt. Pleasant, Dane Ellis (fiancee Elizabeth "Lizzie" Knight) of Charleston, and Lukas and Landon Ellis of Chesnee.

Jerry lived life with a deeply ingrained work ethic that he passed on to his children through example and explicit instruction. Many of his lifelong friends were made "on the job." He worked as a salesman, truck driver and supervisor for Bay Beverage Distributors.  Later, working also as a salesman and truck driver for Lance, Inc. he made it a family endeavor, employing his sons and occasional daughter, paying them in snacks! Upon retiring, he discovered he was incapable of sitting around, so he added a HazMat certification to his CDL license and drove for a few more years.  He gave retirement a second chance, found it was still not a good fit and kept busy working night security for various Charleston industries.  Dedicated and hardworking his whole life, he felt driven to take care of his family until at age 78 illness forced him to stay home.

Jerry's core values of caring for the ones you love while loving what you do was demonstrated in his devotion to family gatherings and activities together:  annual family reunions, camping and cruises, "drive-through" Mac-truck visits, walking trips to the park with the grandkids, boating excursions with surprise endings and too many more to list here.  He was affectionately dubbed, "The Mayor of Fred Street," by his neighbors.  He never missed an opportunity to connect with people, riding his bicycle, checking on old friends and instantly finding out the life stories of new.  Even when homebound in his final few years, he continued to call family and friends, often leaving heartfelt messages full of love and his brand of humor.  He was also devoted to his spiritual family and our Creator, teaching others about Jehovah God and the Bible's hope for mankind as one of Jehovah's Witnesses (JW.org).  He was gifted with a friendly nature and ability to create simple moments of treasured memories.  Many will remember Jerry for his sense of humor and the soft heart he had for animals of all kinds.  He was a jokester, a devoted husband, father, brother and friend, a rescuer of chickens and a connoisseur of deep-southern cuisine (he never met a green boiled peanut or fried oyster he didn't relish).  He will be deeply missed.

14 If a man dies, can he live again?
I will wait all the days of my compulsory service.
Until my relief comes.
15 You will call, and I will answer you.
You will long for the work of your hands. Job 14:14,15

There will be a memorial service for Jerry Dwight Ellis on Saturday, June 20th, 2026, at 3:00 pm at: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 3312 Bonanza Rd., Charleston, SC 29414.