Cecil B. (C.B.) Ellis, 92, of Midland went to his reward peacefully on Sunday, November 12, 2023, surrounded by his three loving sons. Cecil was born in Dublin, Texas on January 18, 1931 to Earl Washington Ellis, Sr. and Thelma Alston Ellis. He graduated from Dublin High School in 1948 to complete his public school education after having never been absent or tardy a single day. He graduated from Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos, Texas, in 1953 and spent two years coaching and teaching at Colorado City High School before beginning a 39-year career as a Landman. His career in the oil and gas industry began with Humble Oil & Refining Company in Midland and took him and his growing family from Midland to Denver for four years, Phoenix for 1 year and back to Midland. Cecil married the love of his life, the former Nancy Blackley on September 13, 1958. Upon his retirement in 1994, they moved to Ruidoso for 12 years of enjoying the mountains, volunteering their time with the hospital auxiliary and basically enjoying life, before moving back to Midland in 2006. After almost 50 years of marriage, he illustrated to all of us the true meaning of “in sickness and in health, until death do us part” while caring for Nancy until she passed away after a two-year battle with cancer on August 28, 2008, sixteen days shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. His principled and Christian beliefs as well as his kindness had a profound impact on his entire family. Cecil is survived by his three sons, and their families: Colonel Earl Bryan Ellis, USAF-Retired (Barb), Edwin Lee Ellis (Tracy), and Bradley Wayne Ellis (Amanda). He will also be missed, but never forgotten, by his eight granddaughters: Micah Ellis Crampton, Elizabeth Ellis Roberts, Megan Ellis, Haley Ellis, Foster Ellis, Paige Ellis, Logan Ellis and Wesley Ellis as well as eight great-grandchildren.
The family held a private burial service on Friday, November 17, 2023. A Memorial Service will be Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 3:00 PM at the Parks-Faudree Family Chapel at Manor Park with a reception to follow.
The family would like to send special thanks to the entire staff at Manor Park’s Cowden Cottage and Hospice of Midland for their excellent care of Cecil over the last several months. We cannot begin to name each of you, but you all had a profound impact on his comfort and, as a result, all of us.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Cecil be made to Manor Park, Inc., 2208 N. Loop 250 W., Midland, Texas 79707; Hospice of Midland, 911 W. Texas Ave, Midland, Texas 79701; or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.
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