Cherryville – Mr. James Everett Ellington, 96, of W. Second Street, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Carolina Care Center.  He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and respected pillar of the community.

Born December 31, 1916 in Gaston County, son of the late Joseph R. Ellington, and Lyda S. Ellington.  Everett received a degree from Guyers Business College in Charlotte.  He retired after 44 years of service as Director of Purchasing from Carolina Freight Carriers Corporation of Cherryville receiving a Distinguished Service Award. He enjoyed extensive travel throughout the world with his late wife of 40 years, Virginia Stroup Ellington. Everett was the oldest living member of First Baptist Church of Cherryville where he served as secretary of his Sunday School class for over 20 years. He served as the first treasurer of the Cherryville Chamber of Commerce, member of the Cherryville Lion’s Club for 60 years and received the Jack Stickley Fellow award for dedicated Humanitarian Service by the NC Lions Foundation.  Everett was a Life member of the Cherryville American Legion Post 100 serving as Post Commander in 1956 and 1968, an avid sports fan attending and following most all of Post 100’s Baseball games, member of Cherryville VFW Post 5200, member and Past Master of Cherryville Masonic Lodge #505 A.F. & A.M. and a 32^nd degree KCCH Scottish Rite Mason and member of Charlotte Scottish Rite Bodies, member of Oasis Shrine Temple in Charlotte serving in many different capacities.  He was member and past president of Cherryville Shrine Club serving as treasurer for the last 15 years, a member and past president of Gaston County Shrine Club and member of the Royal Order of Jesters Charlotte Court 109.  Everett served his country in the US Army during WWII in Okinawa as company clerk although he was trained as a tank driver.

 In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Stroup Ellington, his brothers; Alfred P. Ellington, Boyce W. Ellington and Joel P. Ellington; as well as his sister Uldea Cone, and son-in-law Alvin Moretz.

Survivors include his daughters: Patricia E. Shrader, Judy Ellington, Candy E. Bridges (Gene) and Cathy E. Moretz; a brother John D. Ellington (Pat); two sisters Marjorie Branscomb (Wayne) and Carolyn Ripley (Charles); grandchildren,  Sherri Harrison (John), Melinda Wallace, Jim Moretz (Jenny), Kimberly Brendle (Jody), Wes Rightsell (Shelly) and Jeremy Moretz; step grandchildren; Amanda Hardwick (Michael) and Kerry Bridges (LeighAnn); 19 great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Sunday September 22, 2013 from 12:30 to 1:30PM at Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 2:00PM on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Vince Hefner and Rev. Jim Moretz officiating.

Burial will follow in St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery with Military Honor’s provided by Cherryville American Legion and Masonic Rites by Cherryville Masonic Lodge.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 301 E. First St. Cherryville, NC 28021; or to Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Rd. Greenville, SC 29605.

A guest register is available online at www.stameyfuneralhome.com

Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Ellington.