Franklin Oliver Ellis, Jr. finished his earthly pilgrimage on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023 at 4:32 am from Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. He was 73 years old. Frankie, as he was known far and wide, was born in Okolona on Feb. 2, 1949 to the late Oliver and Hazel Dexter Ellis. He grew up on the Ellis family farm where he learned early strong work values and a deep appreciation of his stewardship of God’s creation, especially his farm heritage. He graduated from Okolona High School in l969 and went on to IJC where he received his certificate as a certified welder. Always large in statue, Frankie spent his life as a farmer/cattleman in Chickasaw County. He especially loved his cattle which he owned and tended right up to his death. He also worked for Babcock in West Point as a welder until his health began to be compromised. Frankie’s quiet, stoic demeanor was only surpassed by his greatest passion in life, that of being the husband of Wanda Sims Ellis to whom he married on Dec. 22, 1968 at First United Methodist Church in Okolona, his love of his children and his complete devotion to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Frankie, known by the grands as Big Pop, literally spent every second he could caring for, loving, attending sporting events and being a proud, doting grandfather. He doted over each of them with a profound love and appreciation that was evident every second of his day! A lover of the outdoors, he was a master hunter of all animals and enjoyed taking his grands on hunting expeditions. He received a love of antiques from his mother, Hazel. Frankie was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Okolona but had been attending the Hayseed Cowboy Church in Pontotoc Co.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2022 from the Okolona Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. Sam Yarborough officiating. Burial will follow in East Chickasaw Memorial Gardens in Okolona. Visitation will be from 5PM-7PM Tuesday and from 10 AM-service time on Wed. all at Holland Funeral Directors-Okolona Chapel, which is honored to be serving their friends.
Frankie is survived by his wife, Wanda; his daughters, Wendy Rogers (Lee) and Christy Ellis (Mark) and a son, Frank Ellis, III (Amanda) all of Pontotoc Co.; his beloved grandchildren, Kinzi Vance (Tae) who was raised by Frankie, Brandon Rogers, Amanda Snyder (Myles), Colton Rogers (Breanna), Kelly Ellis and Chloe Ellis; his great grands, Livi, Molly, Isla, Kynlee, Hendrix, Annie and Paden Ellis, whose arrival is anticipated in May, 2023; his brothers, Johnny Ellis (Libby) of Columbus and Jim Ellis (Michelle) of Okolona; his special Aunt, Delores (Aunt Dumpy) Stewart of Duck Hill and his sister in law, Cindy Lasseter (IB) of Okolona; several nieces, nephews and cousins and a host of wonderful friends.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Rogers, Colton Rogers, Myles Snyder, Mark Plunkett, Tae Vance, Rickman Ryan, Jared Moore and Dwight Stewart.
Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS. 38802. Condolences may be e mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net
