It is with regret that we announce the passing of James Lloyd “Coach Jimmy” Ellis, age 84, of Fayetteville. A private family service has been planned with Bro. Ley Jean, J.B, Cox, Phil Barnes and Paul Barnes officiating.
Jimmy was born on February 22, 1936 in Petersburg, TN to the late Edward C. and Wynetka Barnes Ellis. He was a graduate of Petersburg Elementary and High School and went on to complete his educator degree at MTSC. He began his teaching and coaching career at Huntland High School in 1958, from there he went to Petersburg High School where he was the Principal and a teacher, as well as, the Athletic Director, and coach of the football team and boys and girls basketball teams. When he left Petersburg, Coach Ellis went to Central High School where he coached the girls basketball, football, and track teams. Coach Jimmy retired from the Lincoln County School System in 1996 as the Athletic Director and girls basketball coach. Jimmy was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2004. He was a member of the Army ROTC and a former Lincoln County Commissioner. Jimmy served as an Elder of the Mimosa Church of Christ and attended the Howell Church of Christ. Jimmy passed away at his residence on January 31, 2021.
Survivors include his wife, Faye Moon McKinney Ellis; children, Wyanne (Dwight) King, Melodie (Britt) Dye, Jamie (John) Cain, Jerry (Linda) McKinney, John T. McKinney, and Nancy (J.B.) Cox; grandchildren, Bonnie (Charles) Caldwell, Kristin (Rob) Carter, Jim (Christine) Dye, Kim (Heath Slayton) Dye, Sara (Adam) McCormick, Bob (Whitley) Cain, Chris (Caroline) Cain, Matthew McKinney, Mark (Andrea) McKinney, Ben Cox, and Julia Cox; great-grandchildren, Bruce Carter, Sophie Carter, Hannah Caldwell, Eliza McCormick, Nora McCormick, Oliver Cain, Weston Cain, Caleb Dye, and Emma Grace Dye. In addition to his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by his first wife, Fredna Mae Russell Ellis in 2012; and brothers, Bill Ellis and Maurice Ellis.
Coach Jimmy will be carried to his final resting place by pallbearers, Jim Dye, Bob Cain, Chris Cain, Rob Carter, Adam McCormick, Charles Caldwell, Bruce Carter, and Ben Cox and honorary pallbearers, Jimmy Buchanan, Johnny Dyer, Alvin Palmer, Tim Ellis, Keith Ellis, Chris Ellis, Jerry McKinney, and John McKinney.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or Fayetteville Lincoln County Animal Shelter, 1718 Pulaski Highway, Fayetteville, TN 37334
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Mr. James Lloyd Ellis.
58 Comments To "James Lloyd “Coach Jimmy” Ellis"
#1 Comment By WandaShelton On January 31, 2021 @ 3:56 pm
Sending my prayers to the Coach Ellis family. No one gave more to the schools in our area.
#2 Comment By Tracey A Smith On January 31, 2021 @ 4:09 pm
Coach. You will always be in my heart. I think of you all the time and the things you taught me. Thank you for the memories. Tracey.
#3 Comment By Sandra Chunn On January 31, 2021 @ 4:14 pm
I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Coach. He was one of the good guys. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
#4 Comment By Denise Lindsey Smith & Rickey Smith On January 31, 2021 @ 4:32 pm
such wonderful memories of this coach @ Central High School! R.I.P. dear man….heaven gained another angel. our heartfelt prayers for the family.
#5 Comment By Waidene On January 31, 2021 @ 4:34 pm
What a wonderful man, you all are in my prayers. God Bless
#6 Comment By Tony and Lereca Swinford On January 31, 2021 @ 4:42 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. Coach was such a sweet person.
#7 Comment By Sheree Stovall McGee On February 3, 2021 @ 12:26 pm
Dear girls, We love you all. After losing your mother and now your father you will have to cling to each other for support. No one else can understand your pain & heartbreak like your siblings. Hold tight to each other. We pray for peace of heart & mind for you & your families.
#8 Comment By Forrest Keith On January 31, 2021 @ 4:54 pm
I will miss Coach Ellis, He was a friend and my driving instructor in school. My prayers go out to his family.
#9 Comment By Amy Clark On January 31, 2021 @ 4:56 pm
My thoughts are with all of you. I have good memories of Coach from Central. As an adult, I enjoyed a First National Bank trip to Alaska along with Coach and Mrs. Faye. Hugs and prayers to your family.
#10 Comment By Amy Osteen On January 31, 2021 @ 5:08 pm
I so appreciated Mr. Jimmy’s humility. He was always so kind and encouraging when I would see him in the gym at what was then Fayetteville Junior High School when I first started teaching special education there. I know he has been an athletic coach as well as a LIFE coach to so many. God bless yoi, his family , as he has been ushered into Heaven.
#11 Comment By Dianne Sullivan Cashion Sumruld On January 31, 2021 @ 5:11 pm
Coach will be truly missed. I had the privilege of having him as a teacher, coach and assistant principal. There are lots of fond memories including baby sitting his three daughters.
#12 Comment By Gary & Jo Ann Thompson On January 31, 2021 @ 5:13 pm
Faye, and all the family. Jimmy was a very good friend and we certainly will miss him and his pleasant smile. Each of you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
#13 Comment By Mike and Sandy On January 31, 2021 @ 5:27 pm
We are very sorry to hear of your loss! We will keep the family in our prayers! We love you. Mike and Sandy George
#14 Comment By Fanny (Burns) Smith On February 1, 2021 @ 12:54 pm
Coach will be missed. He was my teacher, my basketball coach and assistant principal at Petersburg High School. Saw him several years ago at a high school reunion. Prayers for his family and all of his friends❤️🙏
#15 Comment By Wanda Jennings Preston On January 31, 2021 @ 5:39 pm
Mrs. Faye, many thought of and prayers for you at this sad time. Bless you!
#16 Comment By Rickey Honey On January 31, 2021 @ 6:14 pm
Coach you where and still so special in my life! When they say coach with yoir name its COACH! Prayers to the family!!!¡
#17 Comment By Lynn Brown On January 31, 2021 @ 6:19 pm
So sorry to hear this prayers to the family.
#18 Comment By Allison Williams Heffington On January 31, 2021 @ 6:24 pm
Thinking of this sweet family today and in the days ahead. Coach Ellis was a good one and shall be remembered and missed.
#19 Comment By Ritchie Sullivan On January 31, 2021 @ 6:25 pm
When the game was getting tuff Coach had a way of just looking me in the eye and even though I thought I was giving it all I had when he did this I could somehow find more.I loved this Man.
#20 Comment By James Laster On January 31, 2021 @ 6:27 pm
Coach Ellis was a good man .and will be missed praying for the family
#21 Comment By Linda F. Williams On January 31, 2021 @ 6:33 pm
I am so sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. He was a beloved friend of mine and will be greatly missed. He was always smiling with a kind words to everyone. I loved him.
#22 Comment By Karen Dye On January 31, 2021 @ 7:03 pm
Coach Ellis always had a smile and kind word for me and my family. My condolences to his children and their families, and to his wife and the families that he loved later in life. He will be missed by all.
#23 Comment By Lana Simms On January 31, 2021 @ 7:04 pm
Such an amazingly wonderful man and so many will miss his sweet smile and personality. He was such a great coach and I have many memories of being on his basketball team that I will treasure ❤️ He was so proud of his family and I am thinking of you and lifting you up in prayer for comfort during this difficult time.
#24 Comment By Mark Colbert On January 31, 2021 @ 7:07 pm
I am so sorry to hear of coach Ellis’s passing. He was a very special person and i know he will be missed by everyone that knew him.
#25 Comment By Marcella Scott On January 31, 2021 @ 7:45 pm
With our sincere sympathy to the family
Lynn and Marcella Scott
#26 Comment By Patsy Bauer On January 31, 2021 @ 7:57 pm
Coach Ellis was my boss @ LCHS. He was so easy to talk to. He knew how to make the students feel loved. Will never forget what a great man & good friend he was. Love you Coach !!
#27 Comment By Mickey and Sharon On January 31, 2021 @ 8:11 pm
Coach Ellis was a great man and great example to all of us. It was an honor to have played for him. To the entire family, you are in our prayers. My God comfort you during this time of sorrow and loss.
#28 Comment By Al Simmons On January 31, 2021 @ 8:28 pm
Refereed a lot of football games when he was on the sidelines coaching – always a gentleman.
#29 Comment By Randall Shepard On January 31, 2021 @ 9:21 pm
Lincoln County lost a good man today. Well done, Coach! Rest easy, sir.
#30 Comment By Janna (Bolles) Shope On January 31, 2021 @ 9:49 pm
Coach Ellis was one of the very best! So thankful for his influence and encouragement during my school years.
#31 Comment By Sarah and Jack Raby On January 31, 2021 @ 9:58 pm
Jack and I are so sorry. Our hearts ache with yours. We loved him. We will be praying for all of his family and the friends who loved him. We love each of you girls, too!
#32 Comment By Lenace Hyde On January 31, 2021 @ 10:03 pm
My thoughts and prayers to all of the family of Mr. Ellis! I always thought fondly of him in school and later in life .
Keep all of your precious memories close !!
Lenace Hyde
#33 Comment By Ronnie Thomas On January 31, 2021 @ 10:17 pm
I am a 1984 graduate of LCHS. I will always remember Coach Ellis always having a heart of gold. He took time with any and everyone that needed him no matter what the situation was. He was kind, considerate and compassionate. I know he was a man that loved the Lord as well. The legacy and the everlasting memories that Coach Ellis left us will continue to live on in the hearts of all of us who knew him. May God Continue To Be With And Bless The Entire Family . You are all in my Thoughts and Prayers.
#34 Comment By Jan Pylant On January 31, 2021 @ 10:56 pm
Prayers for his family. He was Special to me. My basketball coach 1967-69.
#35 Comment By Stacy Johnson On February 1, 2021 @ 12:27 am
Coach Ellis had a role in basically every aspect of my life for as long as I can remember. He embodied what it means to be a man of God. Glad to have been blessed by his friendship, I will truly miss him. May God wrap His loving arms around his family and fill each of you with His peace.
#36 Comment By Deborah Hardin On February 1, 2021 @ 6:22 am
Coach Ellis was a tremendous leader and inspiration for those of us growing up in Petersburg. May you be comforted by the wonderful memories and the love of God. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
#37 Comment By Mike Mcalister On February 1, 2021 @ 6:23 am
Sad to hear of the passing of Coach Ellis. He was a great role model and influence to so many. RIP Coach.
#38 Comment By Jimmy Stocstill On February 1, 2021 @ 7:08 am
Coach you was such a inspiration to all. A great man that cared about his students. Rest in Heaven.
#39 Comment By Agnes Marie On February 1, 2021 @ 8:03 am
Jimmy was an amazing man. He was loved and respected by so many. He loved his family and gave so much to family and community.
#40 Comment By Kim Halcomb Cowart On February 1, 2021 @ 8:49 am
Wyanne and family, Mr. Jimmy was an amazing man. His smile and kind heart touched so many people. May God comfort you during this sad time and allow all the wonderful memories to help heal your hearts.
#41 Comment By Rex Walker On February 1, 2021 @ 10:01 am
Our prayers and thoughts be with you during this difficult time of sorrow.
#42 Comment By Deborah Blake Nabors On February 1, 2021 @ 12:43 pm
They don’t make Coaches like him anymore, my deepest condolences to the family. Deborah Blake Nabors
#43 Comment By Lorie Waggoner French On February 1, 2021 @ 2:15 pm
Prayers for his family for comfort. May he rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord that he loved.
#44 Comment By Larry and Wanda Hames On February 3, 2021 @ 10:31 am
Prayers for all the family. Remember him well from our years at PHS. Thought the world of him.
#45 Comment By Mike & Jeanie Hyde On February 1, 2021 @ 11:39 pm
Coach Ellis was a good man and loyal friend to many students over the years. He was always the person the kids could go to if they needed somebody. He will be missed by all that knew him. He set a good example for people to follow with the way he loved his family and lived his life. Our love to all of you.
#46 Comment By GinaNeece On February 2, 2021 @ 7:48 am
So sorry to hear of Mr. Ellis’ passing. Such a wonderful Christian man.
#47 Comment By Ray Sawyers On February 2, 2021 @ 12:21 pm
A good man ,A good friend . He loved to play softball. Sorrow to the family .
#48 Comment By LaRita Bailey Mitchell On February 2, 2021 @ 11:24 pm
Wyanne, Melodie and Jamie, praying peace and comfort for you during this time.
#49 Comment By Bill & Thelma Hampton and Tim & Connie Porter On February 3, 2021 @ 7:38 am
A fine man with a fine family – he will be missed. Love you all. Prayers are with each of you.
#50 Comment By Wanda Williams On February 3, 2021 @ 12:42 pm
So sorry about the loss of Coach Ellis. He was a wonderful man and loved by all that knew him, but especially by his students and athletes that really got to know him. Teachers were blessed by him too! Our thoughts and prayers to the family. May you find peace and comfort! Our love, Wanda and Bob Williams and Naomi Wallace
#51 Comment By Jody Pigg On February 3, 2021 @ 3:13 pm
Loved to hear him laugh…many fond memories from long ago…all the way back to Petersburg. Prayers for the family.
#52 Comment By Dee Dee Travis On February 4, 2021 @ 10:16 am
So sorry to learn of Coach Ellis’s passing. He was such a great man and an awesome coach! Prayers to the family!
#53 Comment By Faye Ford On February 4, 2021 @ 11:33 am
I am sending deepest and most sincere condolences to the family. The last time that I saw Coach Ellis was at our (Class of 1975) Reunion. He was one of the best teachers that I had at Fayetteville Central High School. He was always nice and kept a smile on his face. Rest in peace.
#54 Comment By Jean Lindsay/Pam On February 4, 2021 @ 2:38 pm
So sorry for your loss Melody. Your in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time.
#55 Comment By Wilson Wright On February 4, 2021 @ 3:20 pm
I am so very sorry to hear about Coach Ellis’ passing. He was a great inspiration to me.
#56 Comment By Lissa Burton On February 4, 2021 @ 3:47 pm
Wyanne, Melody and Jaimie: I sure hated to hear this on your Daddy. Wish I could say words that would make it less sorrowful. Know I am praying for your comfort in knowing he is with our Lord.🙏
#57 Comment By John Richardson On February 6, 2021 @ 12:30 am
Coach Ellis was a great man, who helped many people and loved everyone. I will forever remember how he always encouraged me, and how good he was to everyone. His smile and kindnesss will forever be remembered. He was a blessing to our community and to everyone who knew him. He will be missed by all, but knowing he is with Jesus is comforting.
#58 Comment By Capt. Scott and Mayor Gwen Shelton On February 11, 2021 @ 7:30 pm
To the family we say our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Coach was dear to us. He was responsible for both my first start as a Sophomore Linebacker and Gwen’s first start as a High School Basketball player.
He was not only a Coach, but a mentor and most importantly into our adulthood, a friend with mutual respect for each other.
We treasure our talks and laughter together.
His imparted wisdom has been passed on to both our young men.
Please know this family will never forget him.
Bless you all