Lamb, Ellis "Red"

  • Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Ellis Lamb
Ellis Lamb

Ellis ‘Red’ Lamb died peacefully not far from where he was raised in Natchez, Ms., on Sept. 22, at the age of 90. 

He had a cardiac arrest while cruising on a riverboat down the Mississippi River with his sister and brother-in-law. 

On July 15, 1926, in Burnside, Ms., Ellis was the firstborn of Ellis and Nellie Lamb. His parents relocated to a farm in Bexley, Ms., when he was six and then graduated early from Lucedale High School. He joined the Navy early in 1943 to assist in the war effort. He served on ships in the Pacific and became one of the first Navy personnel to be trained to work with new machines called IBM computers. He married Thelma Lynch in 1952 after meeting her in Washington, D.C. while both serving in the Navy.  Ellis and Thelma lived many places including San Diego, San Francisco, Virginia Beach, Northern Virginia, Atlanta and Hilton Head, S.C. over 63 years together. 

Ellis received his bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland and also attended night school to earn a master’s degree from George Washington University. He rose through the ranks in the Navy to ultimately retire as a commander after 30 years. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed golfing, spending time with family and travelling on cruises throughout the world with Thelma. He moved to California three years ago to be close to his son and family while taking care of Thelma until her passing only five months ago from Alzheimer’s.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma, his brother, Floyd Lamb, and brothers-in-law Carlton Eckhoff and Richard Haeussler.

Ellis is survived by his son, Eric (Catherine) of Atherton, CA and daughter, Lisa (Henry) Nelson of Beaufort, SC. He has five grandchildren, Joshua, Kevin, Spencer, Megan and Rebecca. Ellis is survived by his sisters Nina Moodie (Roland) of San Antonio, TX, Nell Haeussler of Albia, Iowa, Ruth Eckhoff of Cary, NC, and his brother, Henry Lamb (Lynn) of Tupelo, MS. 

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, in the funeral home chapel with Reverend Dick Fisher officiating, with a reception to follow.  All are welcome to attend the service, reception and celebrate Ellis’ life.

A graveside service for family will be held on Monday, Oct. 3, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.

 

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