Lessie Ellis Turbyfill, 83, of Roan Mountain, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, from Roan Highlands Nursing Center. Lessie was a native of Carter County and a daughter of the late David Charles and Mae Perry Ellis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Turbyfill; five brothers, Ray Ellis, Carroll Ellis, Dale Ellis, Frank Ellis and Charles Ellis; two sisters, Helen Ledford and Elizabeth Winters; a brother-in-law, A.J. Ledford; and two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Ellis and Glenda Ellis.
Lessie retired as a clerk for Jewel Tea Food Store and was a member of Lower Shell Creek Christian Church. She was a loving mother and was loved within her community by all that knew her. She enjoyed sewing, reading, quilting and spending time with her family, especially her twin brother.
Those left to cherish her memory include a daughter, Connie Hennings and husband Phillip, of Roan Mountain; a grandson, Daniel Hennings and wife Karen, of Sumter, S.C.; a great-granddaughter, Nicole Rudisel and husband Brent, of Zionsville, Ind.; a great-grandson, Jordan Hennings, of Sumter, S.C.; three great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Lester Ellis, of Marietta, Ga.; two sisters, Martha Young and husband Bill and Clara Heaton and husband Walter, all of Elizabethton; and three sisters-in-law, Wilma Ellis, of Elk Park, N.C., Betty Ellis, of Maryland, and Bonnie Ellis, of Elizabethton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of Mrs. Lessie Ellis Turbyfill will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Lower Shell Creek Christian Church with Pastor Gerald Holly officiating. Music will be under the direction of Pastor Gerald and Gloria Holly. The family will receive friends at the church from 1 until 2 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service, or at the residence at anytime. The graveside service will follow in the Perry Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Walter Heaton, Steve Ellis, Danny Miller, Audie Winters, Randolph Winters and Clint Winters. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Smith, Dan Winters, Donnie Morgan, Lee McCoury, Scottie Thompson, Brad Morgan and her nephews. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and staff of Roan Highlands Nursing Center, Caris Hospice and Tetrick Funeral Home for the love and care shown to Lessie during her illness. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers, may make donations to Lower Shell Creek Christian Church, P.O. Box 127, Roan Mountain, TN 37687. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Turbyfill family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.