Jerome Petty Ellis

Jerome Petty Ellis, 77, went to be with his Lord on Monday September 24, 2018 following a brief illness. Mr. Ellis was a lifelong resident of Springfield until moving to Goodlettsville in May of this year. He was born September 1, 1941 in Robertson County to the late E. Bates and Mary Lou Petty Ellis. He was a graduate of Springfield High School Class of 1959. He obtained both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville. Jerome was a dedicated educator with the Robertson County Board of Education for 37 years. He began teaching in 1963 and taught in the classroom until 1966. From 1966 until 1970 he served as Principal at Springfield Jr. High School and from 1970 to 1977 he served as Principal at Westside Elementary School. Jerome was then appointed as Superintendent of Schools in Robertson County and served in that title until the title was changed in 1997 to Director of Schools from which he retired in 2000. He was a member of Barren Plains Baptist Church, where he served as the Chairman of the Deacons. Jerome was a former City Commissioner with the City of Springfield from which he stepped down when he was appointed as School Superintendent. Following his retirement, he was elected as a City Alderman for Ward 3 in Springfield in 2002. He was re-elected to that position in both 2006 and 2010 and had a total of 12 years of service after he did not seek re-election in 2014. His favorite hobby that he enjoyed most was raising Black Angus cattle.

In addition to his parents, Jerome was preceded in death by his son: Jeffrey Read Ellis in 2012. In December of this year he would celebrate 55 years of marriage with his wife, Linda Allen Ellis, who survives him. Jerome is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law: Tim and Dena Ellis of Goodlettsville, his granddaughters: Brandi (Steven) Phillips of White House, and Stefanie (Chris) Means of Goodlettsville, his great grandchildren: Brayden, Liam, and Reese, his sister: Alice (Russ) Pae of Houston, TX, his brother: Allan (Debby) Ellis of Springfield, and by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday September 29th at 11:00 a.m. in the Oakhurst Chapel of the Robertson County Funeral Home with his son: Tim Ellis and Reverend Adam Hodges officiating. Interment will follow in Springfield Memorial Gardens with Tim Harris officiating. Pallbearers will be Chris Means, Steven Phillips, Keith Petty, David Petty, Tim Head, Royce Yarbrough, Sam Andavazo, and Clyde Dean. The family will receive friends on Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the Robertson County Funeral Home

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jerome P. Ellis Memorial Scholarship Fund for Education Majors. All donations may be sent c/o Robertson County Funeral Home 2201 Memorial Blvd. Springfield, TN 37172

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