Richard Ellison

Richard Ray Ellison, age 89, of Cherryville, passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Peak Resources. He was born June 11, 1936, in Carlisle, West Virginia, to the late Mack Russell Ellison and Nellie Ellen Jones Ellison Blake. He was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church. Richard graduated from Collins High School in West Virginia. He served in the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1961. Afterwards, he went to work for DrilTech in Gainesville, Fla, where his strong work ethic and dedication were evident throughout his career. His love for his work continued in his personal life where he began collecting rocks from all around the world. He also enjoyed coin collecting. Richard found great joy in working in his yard, especially tending to his flowers and garden. His greatest pleasure was found in spending time with his family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of their children who passed in 1981, Eleanor Plumb Ellison; and siblings, James Ellison and wife, Brenda, Mary Frances Russel and husband, Fred, and Ruth Ann Ellison.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Dorothy Hooper Ellison; children, Cathy Ellison Boccardo of Greensboro, Laura Ellison of Bessemer City, Kay Ann Ellison of Cherryville, Renee Hamrick and husband, Rick of Cherryville, David Marks and wife, Lisa of Christianburg, VA, Kenneth Marks and wife, Kathy of Raleigh, and Elizabeth Gordon and husband, James of Mooresville; brother-in-law, Judge Ben W. Hooper, II and wife, Patsy of Newport, TN; grandchildren, Chelsea Fennell (Jeremiah), Mackenzie Boccardo, Holly Ann Ellison, Austin Richard Hamrick (Jordan), Alicia Robertson (Paul), John Marks (Allee), Lauren Brown (Sam), Lilly McCandless (Luke), Jenna Marks, Sam Marks, Christi Baldree (James), Ali Gordon, Abi Gordon, and Willie Gordon; great grandchildren, Brooklyn Boccardo, Lennox Ellison, Alaina Robertson, Henry Marks, Margo Marks, Beau Brown, and Chatham Brown; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would also like to acknowledge the appreciation for the love and friendship from all of his fellow workers from DrilTech and his many friends.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Shady Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Dale Hendricks officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30 to 1:45 PM at the church.

Condolences may be made to www.carpenterporter.com