Ellis Johnson Stearns Iii

Ellis Johnson Stearns, III passed away at the age of 88 at NHC in Bluffton, South Carolina on June 10, 2021, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born on November 8,1932 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Ellis Johnson Stearns, Jr. and Ruth Coquille Stearns.

Ellis proudly served in the United States Air Force and met his wife, Vonnie, while stationed in Denver, Colorado. Ellis retired from Westinghouse Electric Corporation where he enjoyed a 27-year career as an Electrical Engineer. After his retirement, he and Vonnie relocated from Severna Park, Maryland to Sun City Hilton Head. Ellis was pleased to be a member of the Sun City Chorus, Sun City Community Theater, Sun City Veterans and All About Art.

Ellis was a wonderfully kind, caring, gentle man of God who never met a stranger. His family was everything to him and he was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He and Vonnie were active members of Lowcountry Presbyterian Church, where they both enjoyed singing in the choir.

Ellis is survived by his wife of 66 years, Vonnie, and three children: Angie Harting (Bill) of Bluffton, South Carolina; Mark (Rose) of Frisco, Texas; and Dan (Kim) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Rob Harting, Laura Vreeland, Matthew Stearns (Amanda), Brittany Auclair (Steve) and Shayna Bolton (John-Mark); and seven great-grandchildren: Ryan, Liam, Maggie, Stearns, Madison, Rollins and Charlotte.

A funeral service will be held Monday, June 14, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at Lowcountry Presbyterian Church, 10 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton, South Carolina, followed by a light reception at the church.

Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton, South Carolina and Revered Stephanie Dion, Associate Pastor of Lowcountry Presbyterian Church are handling funeral arrangements for the family. Burial will be held at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Memory Matters, 117 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 or Lowcountry Presbyterian Church, 10 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton SC 29910.