Death: Greg Ellis Obituary, Chickamauga, Ga – Gregory Neil Ellis, a 62-year-old resident of Chickamauga, Georgia, died on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at his home in the presence of his family. He was born in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, although he grew up in Chickamauga, Alabama. He received his high school education at Gordon Lee High School and graduated in 1980. While attending Gordon Lee, he engaged in multiple sports, assuming the role of quarterback for the football team, participating in basketball, and also playing baseball. He served as the pitcher for the Trojans, ultimately leading them to triumph in the 1979 state championship game and thus receiving the prestigious Mack Smith Award.
He furthered his education by enrolling at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree. He then pursued his studies at Eastern Kentucky University, where he earned his Master of Arts degree. Finally, he completed his education at Lincoln Memorial, where he acquired his Education Specialists degree. Greg commenced his professional journey in 1986 as an educator and mentor at Gordon Lee, the educational establishment where he pursued his undergraduate studies. In 1988, he held dual roles as both a teacher and a coach at South Rossville Middle School. In 1989, Coach Ellis returned to his alma institution, Gordon Lee, and remained there as a teacher and coach until 1994.
He assumed the role of a baseball coach at Lenior City High School in July 1994 and held the position until July 1998. Once more, he returned to Gordon Lee and assumed the role of a coach there from 1999 until 2006. From 1999 to 2011, he served as a football coach at Signal Mountain and was part of the coaching staff that led the Eagles to win the state title game. Coach Ellis served as a teacher and coach at Gordon Lee, his alma mater, from 1989 to 1994. From July 1994 to July 1998, he held the position of overseeing the baseball program at Lenior City High School. He recommenced his coaching career at Gordon Lee Institute sometime between 1999 and 2006. From 1999 until 2011, he served as an assistant coach for the Signal Mountain Eagles and during that time, the squad emerged as the state champions.
Throughout that period, the team achieved triumph by securing the championship. Ensure to return to Gordon Lee for a second time. From 2011 to 2015, he held the position of supervising sports operations at Baylor High School, while simultaneously serving as the football team coach from 2012 to 2015. In 2015, he assumed the position of head coach for the Trojans football team and held that role until 2019. Coach Ellis holds the highest record among his peers at Gordon Lee High School when it comes to football. Golf was his lifelong occupation, and he would passionately exclaim “Roll Tide Roll” whenever Alabama competed. Throughout his entire life, he was a member of the GASA.
Greg Ellis was born after the death of his father, Billy Neil Ellis. Greg Ellis was given the same name as his father. The Elizabeth Lee Methodist Church was the family’s exclusive place of worship during their whole lives. The immediate family of Crystal Lynn Mozingo Ellis and her husband consists of Shelby Frances Ellis, Madison Riley (who is betrothed to Malachi Parker), and Reece (Bethany) Hughes. All three of these persons are family members. Each of them hails from Memphis, Tennessee. Carter Hughes was born in Chickamauga, Georgia, to Jean Marie Oliver and Sherri Neilia Ellis. The individuals in question are identified as Carter Hughes. Poppy Elizabeth Williams is a great-niece and Alex Spires is a nephew, which is worth mentioning.
The funeral home will be open on Sunday, March 24, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM for anyone who want to express their condolences to the family. The funeral ceremony is set to occur at the chapel on March 24, 2024, at 4:00 PM. Derrell O’Neal and Scott Erby will officiate the ceremony. The funeral will be conducted at Chickamauga Cemetery. He went back to Gordon Lee, where he held the position of Athletic Director from 2011 to 2015. During the same period, he also coached football at Baylor High School from 2012 to 2015. He returned to his former university as the head football coach, leading the Trojans from 2015 until his retirement in 2019. Coach Ellis holds the record for the highest number of wins in the history of football coaching at Gordon Lee High School.
He was a lifelong member of the GASA, an avid golfer, and a dedicated advocate for Alabama State University, frequently exclaiming “Roll Tide Roll.” Billy Neil Ellis, the father of Greg, deceased prior to him. Greg was a member of the Elizabeth Lee Methodist Church, however, his father died before him. His wife, Crystal Lynn Mozingo Ellis, and his daughters, Shelby Frances Ellis of Memphis, Tennessee, Madison Riley Hughes (accompanied by her fiancé, Malachi Parker), and Reece (Bethany) Ellis, are among the individuals who remain following his death. Sanders Hughes, his mother Jean Marie Oliver Ellis, his sister Sherri Neilia Ellis, his niece Kristen Drew Williams (married to Laura), his nephew Alex Spires (married to Austen), and his great-nieces Poppy Elizabeth Williams and Scottie Ellis Spires, all reside in Chickamauga, Georgia.
The funeral home will be accessible to guests on Sunday, March 24, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The funeral services will take place at the chapel on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Ministers Scott Erby and Derrell O’Neal will officiate the event. A burial will occur later at Chickamauga Cemetery. Instead of sending flowers, you can make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting their website at www.alz.org or by sending a check to their address at 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601. You can also make contributions to the Gordon Lee Athletics Association, located at 105 Lee Circle, Chickamauga, Georgia 30707. The Chickamauga Chapel of Wilson Funeral Homes is responsible for managing the arrangements. The website www.wilsonfuneralhome.com serves as the online register book.
