Gilliam Cecil “Gil” Ellis III

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Gilliam Cecil “Gil” Ellis III, 70, resident of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Maury Regional Medical Center after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. at Main Street Church of Christ with Randy Kersey and Ricky Glass officiating. Burial will follow in Spencer Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorials may be made to Main Street Church of Christ, 210 N Main St, Mount Pleasant, TN 38474 or to the Wounded Warrior Project at Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Born September 23, 1955, in a log cabin in Gatlinburg, TN, Gil was the son of the late Gilliam C. Ellis, Jr. and the late Edith Mae Ratliff Ellis. He graduated from Columbia Central High School in 1973. On May 9, 1980, he married Debra Gifford. Gil retired from Essex following many years of dedicated service. A proud member of Main Street Church of Christ, Gil dearly loved his church family and faithfully served others through church volunteer work and Meals on Wheels. He had a servant’s heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Gil enjoyed the outdoors and especially loved nature, fishing, and birdwatching. He also earned his pilot’s license and greatly enjoyed flying. A devoted fan of western movies, he was an avid John Wayne collector. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his beloved dog, Katy.

In addition to his wife, Debra Gifford Ellis, survivors include his children, Brandi (Tommy) Chapman, Marti Hendrix (Tracy Sager), Gilliam (Heather) Ellis IV, and Michael (Tatjana) Barnes; grandchildren, Ashley (Destry) Boyd, Maddy Chapman, Brice Hendrix, Brent Ellis, Bradley Hendrix, Hailee Ellis, Ethan Ellis, Elliott Barnes, Tennison Barnes, Maria Barnes, Lucy Barnes, Dewey Barnes, and Aggie Barnes; great-grandchildren, Bentley Boyd, Bella Boyd, Aria Boyd, and Oliver Chapman; brother, Delman (Nancy) Ellis; sister, Betty Renegar; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Brice Hendrix, Brent Ellis, Bradley Hendrix, Randy Brady, Todd Prince, Elliott Barnes, Matt Altobell, Tommy Chapman, and Tracy Sager. Honorary pallbearers will include past and present employees of Essex.

The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Ben Gardner, the doctors and nursing staff at Maury Regional Medical Center, the doctors, nurses, and staff of Tennessee Oncology and Compassus, and the therapists at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care for their compassionate care and support.