Howard Lathrop Ellis

Howard Lathrop Ellis, age 79 of Bluffton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 30, 2014. Born in Charleston, SC, he was the son of the late Lee Duncan Ellis and Martha Lathrop Ellis. He was a graduate of Aiken High School, attended USC, then transferred to the Citadel; then he served 4 years in the United States Air Force from 1957 to 1961. He was also a graduate of the South Carolina Banking School. He spent over 40 years in banking and finance with his last 17 being with Palmetto State Bank. He is survived by his wife Anne Martin Hart Ellis (50 years); his daughter Anne M. Ellis of Casselberry, FL; his son, Howard Lathrop Ellis Jr. (Sonny) and wife Lisa of Bluffton, SC and a brother, Richard C. Ellis and wife Barbara of Spring Hope, NC and a predeceased brother, Lt. Colonel Lee Duncan Ellis Jr. Howard was a member of the Vanlandingham Rotary and the Bluffton Rotary where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a long time member of the Bluffton Men's Club and held many elected positions. He volunteered in many community activities. Anne, Punkin and Sonny would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all the caregivers that participated in Howard's healthcare over the years. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 pm on Sunday, August 3rd at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Rd., Bluffton. Graveside services will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday, August 5th at the Bluffton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests remembrances be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, NY, NY 10163-4777 or the charity of your choice. Graveside services will be held at 11:30 am, Tuesday, August 5, 2014 in Bluffton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00 pm til 5:00 pm, Sunday, August 3, 2014 at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Rd., Bluffton.