Howard "Hc" Ellison

Howard Cecil (H.C.) Ellison, 97, of Ethel, Mississippi, left for his home in heaven surrounded by family on Saturday, October 7, 2023.

Howard was born on August 8, 1926, near Vardaman, Mississippi to Hubert and Vivian (Cole) Ellison. The family of 3 moved soon after his birth to Tallahatchie County, Mississippi and farmed near the community of Brazil. He attended Tallahatchie County Schools.

Howard volunteered for the U.S. Navy during WWII and served as a “Seabee”, rebuilding Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Just as he was to ship out for the South Seas, the war ended, and he returned to Brazil.

It was there that he met his wife of 74 years, Lyndol Bell, as she was teaching in Brazil. They married on January 19, 1949, and shortly after moved to Cleveland, Mississippi where Howard owned and operated Ellison Heating and Electric. In 1980, Howard was asked to take on the roll as a vocational teacher at Coahoma Community College.

After retiring in 1990, he relocated to the “Bell” family home on the Old Natchez Trace and began an extensive rebuilding project on the 100-year-old home. Howard built most of the house himself, in addition, he developed a goat and miniature donkey farm. As an avid outdoorsman, Howard enjoyed bird hunting, fishing on the Reservoir, gardening, photography, and maintaining his piece of “paradise”.

Howard was a gifted engineer who could build or fix anything. He used his ingenuity to design a snow machine so that his granddaughters would have snow at Christmas. Howard and Lyndol traveled to many events that their granddaughters were involved in such as soft ball, dance, and music contests.

Howard was respected and loved by all who met him. His kindness and loving nature were evident through his genuine smile and humble servant. spirit. Howard was a dedicated member of The First Presbyterian Church of Kosciusko, Mississippi and former board member of Stonewall Memorial Chapel.

Howard is survived by his wife Lyndol Bell Ellison, son Scott Ellison (Memphis), daughter Penny Zito (Tony) of Picayune. Sisters- in-law Polly Allen of Ethel and Gerry Cain (Skip) of Ridgeland.

Granddaughters include Brandy Grant (Robert) of Merigold, Brianna Mabry of Senatobia, and Bailey Battistelli of Ridgeland. Great grandchildren include Braxton Grant and Gavin Grant of Merigold, Annabelle Mabry of Senatobia and Braylee Smith and Blaise Smith of Ridgeland. Howard is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents Hubert and Vivian Ellison, brothers Ira Ellison, Steve Ellison, Charles Ellison and sisters Mae Warren, and Catherine Pape. Brothers- in- law, Robert “Bobby” Warren, Tommy Pape, and Sam Allen.

Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at Stonewall Church. Funeral service is 11: 00 a.m., Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at Stonewall Church with burial to follow at Stonewall Cemetery. Rev. Phillip Palmertree will officiate.

Pallbearers are Michael Allen of Terry, Robert Grant of Merigold, Bradley Wilkinson of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Tony Zito of Picayune, Paul Allen of Maitland, Florida, and Bland Young of Terry

Honorary Pallbearers are great grandsons, Braxton Grant, and Gavin Grant of Merigold.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the Stonewall Memorial Fund P.O. Box 122 Ethel, Mississippi 39067 or French Camp Academy https://frenchcamp.org/ 1 Fine Pl, French Camp, MS 39745.