MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2015 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Turner, Jennings, Barker, Powell, Nelson, Steverson, Hamilton, Weathersby, Alday

House Resolution 104

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PHYSICIAN DAVID BRADLEY ELLIS, M.D.

     WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of Dr. David Bradley Ellis on July 22, 2014, to rest eternally; and

     WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the City of New Albany, Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend and community leader with the passing of Dr. Ellis, who was born in Union County, Mississippi, to the late William Augustus Ellis, Sr., and Della Teer Ellis on March 29, 1920; and

     WHEREAS, after attending Tippah Union School and graduating from the Mississippi Heights Academy in Blue Mountain, Dr. Ellis toiled for two years in the Civil Conservation Corps, receiving only one dollar per day for his tireless exertions, so that he could afford to further his education in college and help support his family; and

     WHEREAS, once he had earned enough money for tuition, Dr. Ellis enrolled at Mississippi State College, and when he was not acing a test or studying in the library, he worked in the cafeteria to help pay his way; and

     WHEREAS, after he completed two years of academic work, the relations between the United States and the hostile Axis powers diminished and tensions ran high, causing Lady Liberty to engage the fanatical regime in World War II, and Dr. Ellis put his books on the shelf, laid down his pencil and joined the ranks of an elect fraternity of soldiers in the United States Army who patriotically risked their lives to protect the freedoms all Americans enjoy; and

     WHEREAS, trained as an elite and invaluable machinist, Dr. Ellis and his comrades stealthily maneuvered across the Pacific Ocean in a converted ocean liner, making stops in beautiful Tahiti and exotic Perth, Australia, before anchoring down in India, where  for the next four years, he diligently worked on the planes that flew The Hump in the China-Burma-India Theater, ensuring their precision and destructive capabilities with each turn of his wrench; and

     WHEREAS, upon his discharge from the Army Air Corps, Dr. Ellis returned to his studies, and after graduating from Mississippi State College, he worked as a County Agent in Clay and Lafayette Counties; and

     WHEREAS, unsatisfied with his chosen career path and driven by the plethora of compassion overflowing from his altruistic heart, Dr. Ellis cashed in his GI Bill for the late nights, tedious lectures, and excruciatingly difficult tests that were necessary to become a physician, and after attending the University of Mississippi Medical School in Oxford for two years, he transferred to the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis, where he received his medical degree in 1955; and

     WHEREAS, utilizing the superlative experience and incomparable training he gained during his internship at John Gaston Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Ellis began a general practice of medicine in Ripley, where he practiced for two years before going to New Albany; and

     WHEREAS, after 50 years of devoted medical service and thousands upon thousands of exams, house calls, emergencies and delivery room miracles, Dr. Ellis retired at the age of 81 and exchanged his stethoscope and white coat for precious memories and conversations with his family, brief moments of tranquility as the sun sank below the horizon and radiated his farm in a fiery glow, his bellowing cattle as they welcomed the dawn, and many cherished arguments about politics and the real estate market with his friends at the local diner over a cup of Joe; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to his roles as family man, farmer and political strategist, Dr. Ellis was a proud, committed member of the American Legion, Sons of the Confederate Veterans, Forestry Association, American Angus Association, Mississippi State Alumni Association and the Mississippi State Medical Association; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. Ellis also served on the New Albany School Board and as the physician for New Haven School, and as a lifelong Presbyterian, he first worshipped at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Cotton Plant before moving to Cleveland Street Presbyterian Church in New Albany, where he served as a deacon; and     

     WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Dr. Ellis's memory will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors:  his wife of 66 years, Nancy Katherine McKinstry Ellis; daughters, Representative Margaret Ellis Rogers, Dr. Mary Ellis Pace, Elizabeth Ellis Skinner and Dr. Martha Jane Ellis Blanche; sons, David B. Ellis, Jr., and John M. Ellis; grandchildren, Brad Rogers, Robbins Rogers, David Pace, Gordon Pace, Katherine Hardin, John Mark Skinner, Joseph Blanche, Julia Blanche and Jennie Katherine Ellis; great-grandchildren, Corinne Pace, Lillian Pace, Camille Pace, Isaac Pace, Gregory Pace, Nita Hardin, Shepherd Hardin and Ellis Ann Hardin; step great-grandchildren, Avery Grace Shaw and Mary Claire Shaw; and a host of other relatives and friends; and 

     WHEREAS, a man of many facets, mentor, friend, inspiration and wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather, Dr. Ellis overflowed with excellence and will be greatly missed not only by his family but also by the countless others who had the opportunity to know him and experience his greatness; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the selflessness and benevolence of irreplaceable Mississippians such as Dr. Ellis:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. David Bradley Ellis, and extend sincere and deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Dr. David Bradley Ellis and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.