Calvin Blaxton Ellis

Calvin Blaxton Ellis passed peacefully into eternal Life Wednesday evening, August 25, 2010, in the company of his wife, his two children, and a hospice nurse. The oldest of five children, Mr. Ellis was born September 22, 1928, in the Bereah Community to Thomas Hugh Ellis and Ernie Estelle (Lightsey) Ellis. He graduated from Frostproof High School in 1946 and from the University of Florida (B.S., agriculture) in 1950. He served two years in the United States Army, worked as a salesman for NACO Fertilizer Company, and worked for the State Plant Board to bring the Mediterranean fruit fly under control. He spent the bulk of his professional life in the employ of Adams Packing Company and Gapway Groves Corporation, where he served as foreman and then production manager. In addition, he maintained his own grove and operated a real estate brokerage. He is preceded in death by his parents and by two brothers, James Edward Ellis and Thomas Ralph Ellis. He is survived by his wife of 53 and a half years, Sarah; an aunt, Hazel Townsend of Avon Park; a sister, Yvonne Fielding (Erroll) of Winter Haven; a brother, Charles Ellis of Lakeland; a daughter, Susan Ellis of Lakeland; a son, Eddie Ellis (Terri) of Bradley, IL; several nieces and nephews; and his girls, Snickers and Ingie. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lakeland Christian School or the Cemetery Fund of Corinth Primitive Baptist Church. Visitation will be held Saturday, August 28, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Corinth Primitive Baptist Church, with funeral service beginning at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Eddie Fulford and Elder Lloyd Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow in the Corinth Cemetery. Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home Avon Park