Yancey (Yank) Ellis, 99, died peacefully on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at his home in Shelby.

He passed just 20 days shy of his 100th birthday. A native of Cleveland County, Ellis was the son of the late Gertha Gay Bridges Ellis and the late William Gordon Ellis.

On July 30, 1946, on his 25th birthday, Yancey founded Ellis Lumber Company, and on July 30, 2021, the company will celebrate 75 years in business serving the community. Ellis was a member of Zoar Baptist church for 76 years, a member of the Shelby Lions' Club for 67 years and the Ruritan for many years. An avid train fan, Ellis was a charter member of the Clinchfield National Historical Railway society where he was a member for 27 years. In the 1990's Ellis and his good friend, Bobby Smith, walked 190 miles of tracks between Charlotte and Erwin, TN. A fan of Chet Atkins guitar music, Ellis attended the annual Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention in Nashville, TN for many years, until his health no longer permitted.

Ellis is survived by his sister, Martha Ellis Askins of Charlotte.

He was preceded in death by his wife Rebekah Putnam Ellis and by 4 sisters and 2 brothers.

He is survived by his daughter Rebekah (Becky) Ellis Adams and husband James of Torrance, CA, son William Baxter (Tim) Ellis and wife Lynn Bankhead Ellis of Belmont, NC, daughter Karen Ellis Clarke and husband Donald of Shelby, and son Stanley Scott Ellis and wife Jeanne Lynn Ellis of Shelby, 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from noon to 1:00 pm on Friday, July 30, 2021 at Clay- Barnette Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, in the funeral home chapel, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Danny West. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Zoar Baptist Church, 1740 S. Lafayette Street, Shelby, NC 20152.

FUNERAL HOME: Arrangements are entrusted to Clay-Barnette Funeral Home & Aquamation Center

ONLINE CONDOLENCES: www.claybarnette.com