Steven Ellis, Sr.

Steven Paul Ellis, Sr., age 81, of Cherryville, passed away January 6, 2026, at Carolinas ContinueCARE Hospital at Pineville. Steve was born January 11, 1944, in Mecklenburg County, to the late Edward Paul and Ruth Mullins Ellis.

Steve, a devoted husband, father, teacher, veteran, and friend, lived a life defined by curiosity, kindness, humor, and an unwavering love for people.

Steve was a First Lieutenant in the United States Army who served during the Vietnam War as an Infantry Operations and Intelligence Specialist with the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). During his military service, he received the National Defense Service Medal and earned distinction as an Expert Rifleman—honors he carried with quiet pride.

A proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Steve earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and remained a lifelong, devoted Carolina Tar Heels basketball fan. If it came in Carolina blue, Steve owned it, wore it, named it, and claimed it.

For many years, Steve taught at Cherryville High School, where he was beloved by countless students. Long after graduation, many stayed in touch to tell him how deeply he had changed their lives. Before teaching, Steve worked quietly as a behavioral health counselor at Kings Mountain Hospital and with the North Carolina Department of Corrections. True to his nature, he never spoke of the many lives he helped, choosing instead to honor and protect the people he served.

In his earlier years, Steve hosted a Saturday morning AM radio show, delighting in every caller who joined the conversation. Some of his most treasured moments were when his children appeared as guest speakers—he beamed with pride as he listened to their laughter and endless chatter on the air. He was also a guest columnist and cruciverbalist for The Charlotte Observer and The Gaston Gazette, sharing his love of words, puzzles, and curiosity with a wide audience.

An avid sports enthusiast, Steve coached numerous softball, basketball, and soccer teams throughout his life. He loved to coach. He loved to teach. He loved people. He loved life.

An eternal searcher and master researcher, Steve rarely left a question unanswered. He spent countless hours learning, exploring, and discovering. A practical jokester with an unquenchable zest for life, he might be found crafting unique pieces of jewelry or clothing, or unveiling a “Steve Ellis invention,” smiling as he said, “Just wait—I’ll be famous one day.” What Steve never realized was that he was already ahead of his time and already famous—not for what he made, but for who he was and how he treated others.

Steve was endlessly fascinated by people and their stories. He made sure everyone knew they mattered and that he was always there for them—and he meant it. He saw the good in everyone and often reminded others how proud he was of them, encouraging them to “keep fighting the good fight.”

A lover of the performing arts, Steve could often be found performing at a local playhouse or dancing and singing with infectious joy. You couldn’t help but join in—his spirit made being around him a gift. He never met a stranger and embraced every aspect of life, never passing up the chance for good beer, good conversation, and meaningful connection.

Steve met his wife, Maria, on a blind date while they were both in college—he at UNC–Chapel Hill and she at Appalachian State University. They fell in love through handwritten letters, and Steve was known to hitchhike all the way from Chapel Hill to Boone just to see her. Their love was unique, enduring, and priceless.

Together, Steve and Maria raised four children: Monica, Steven, Crystal, and Jessica. Their family life was rich with laughter, humor, and countless stories that always began with, “You won’t believe what just happened.”

Even as his time on earth grew short, Steve would look at you with those big blue eyes and say, “Thank you for coming. It means a lot to me.” And he meant that, too. Steve was a deeply loved husband, father, brother, cousin, friend, coworker, and teacher. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten, having left an everlasting imprint on the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.

In addition to his parents, Steve was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Monica Lilia Ellis.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Maria Sistare Ellis; son, Steven Paul Ellis, Jr., of Schertz, TX; daughters, Crystal Ellis Warner (Ben) of Belmont, NC, and Jessica Danielle Ellis, of Cherryville; brother, Randy Ellis (Renee), of Dallas, NC; sister, Sheila Miles (Doug), of Memphis, TN; and grandchildren, Ashley Kathryn Ellis, of Melbourne, FL, Emilia Monica Ellis, of Schertz, TX, and Pyper Argelia England, of Belmont, NC.

Service times are pending and will be announced once they are made available.

Memorials may be made to the VA – online at https://www.cdceportal.va.gov/donate_online

Memorials may also be made to the Cherryville High School Education Foundation – online at https://www.chsefnc.org or by mail to CHSEF, PO Box 301, Cherryville, NC 28021.

Condolences may be made to www.carpenterporter.com