Allan Ellis

Allan Steven Ellis, age 75, of Springfield, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2026.

Born on April 6, 1951, in Springfield, Tennessee, Allan was the son of the late Bates and Mary Lou Ellis. A lifelong resident of Robertson County, he dedicated his life to serving his community, his church, and his family.

Allan graduated from Springfield High School in 1969, where he distinguished himself as an exceptional student-athlete. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee, preparing for a career of public service that would leave a lasting impact on his hometown.

On August 6, 1977, Allan married the love of his life, Debby. Although they would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary in just a few days, they had been together for 50 wonderful years, building a life centered on faith, family, and unwavering devotion.

Following college, Allan worked for the Tennessee Department of Transportation for 10 years before returning home to Springfield. He served the City of Springfield as Director of Public Works for nearly 30 years while also serving as the City’s Licensed Professional Engineer. He was also a certified land surveyor. His dedication, expertise, and integrity helped shape the infrastructure and growth of the community he loved.

A faithful servant of the Lord, Allan was a devoted member of Barren Plains Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as both Deacon and Treasurer for more than 40 years. His quiet leadership, steadfast faith, and servant’s heart touched countless lives within his church family.

Above all else, Allan loved his family. He never missed an opportunity to spend time with his daughters and grandchildren, who brought immeasurable joy to his life. Whether attending their activities, sharing stories, or simply enjoying time together, his family was always his greatest treasure. 

Anyone who knew Allan knew he never met a stranger, and his warm smile, genuine interest in others, and kind spirit made friends wherever he went.

When he wasn’t serving his community or spending time with family, Allan could usually be found on his beloved 100-acre farm in the Barren Plains community, raising beef cattle, producing oil and natural gas, or teaching his kids and grandkids how to drive. He loved planning road trips with his trusty road atlas, carefully mapping scenic backroads that almost always led to a historical park, monument, or Civil War battlefield. Friday nights often found him at the movie theater with a large bucket of popcorn and a Diet Coke, while Saturday evenings were reserved for listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio.

In 2025, Allan was inducted into the Springfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding athletic career. As an offensive tackle and linebacker, he helped lead the Yellow Jackets to the Tobacco Bowl Championship in 1967, earned All Mid-State Team honors in 1968, and was selected to the West All-Star Football Team to represent Springfield in the prestigious TSSAA East-West All-Star Game in 1969. A gifted all-around athlete, Allan also competed in basketball and baseball, earning All-District honors on the diamond.

In addition to his parents, Allan was preceded in death by his brother, Jerome Ellis, and his nephew, Jeffrey Ellis.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Debby Ellis; daughters, Emily (Tim) Head, of Springfield, and Jessica (Jeremy) Durham of Brentwood; grandchildren, Steven Bates Head, Jordan Grace Head, Jackson Ryan Durham, and Jameson Allan Durham; sister, Alice Marie (Russell) Pae of Houston, TX; sisters-in-law, Linda Ellis of Goodlettsville, and Judy Holman of Springfield, and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, August 6th at 1:00 p.m. at the Barren Plains Baptist Church with Bro. Adam Hodges and Bro. Chad Diehl officiating. Interment will follow in Springfield Memorial Gardens with Tim Head, Steven Head, Jeremy Durham, Jackson Durham, David Harden, Levi Harden, Tim Ellis, and Charlie Pae serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jordan Head, Jameson Durham, Staff Sergeant John Holman Taylor, the Springfield High School Class of 1969, and the Deacons of Barren Plains Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Robertson County Funeral Home and on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until service time at Barren Plains Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Barren Plains Baptist Church Memorial Fund or the American Heart Association.

Though Allan’s accomplishments were many, he will be remembered most for the way he lived—with humility, faith, generosity, and an abiding love for God, his family, and his community. His legacy will continue in the lives he touched and in the example he set for all who knew him.

Services have been entrusted to Robertson County Funeral Home.

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