Frank Ellis Sr.

Frank Kennedy Ellis Sr., 57, of Cape Girardeau was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.

Frank was born Oct. 12, 1962, in Charleston, Missouri, to the late Joseph and Inez Ellis. He and Sylvia Johnson were married on Sept. 7, 1985, in Haywood City, Missouri. He was the loving father of Syr-Franklin Kennedy Ellis II, of Overland Park, Kansas, and Sierra Thomas-Ellis and her spouse, Quency Thomas-Ellis of St. Louis.

Frank was faithful in his belief in Christ and was a devout Roman Catholic. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a recipient of numerous honors and awards during his lifetime. He served as an usher and a Eucharistic minister at St. Mary’s Cathedral Church in Cape Girardeau. He also served on numerous boards and committees.

Frank graduated with an A.A. from Shawnee Community College after playing basketball for them. He began his teaching career as a substitute teacher in January of 1984 in the Charleston School District. He went on to receive his bachelor’s in education in 1987 from Southeast Missouri State University, where he received numerous honors while excelling in his academic studies. He was active in various student organizations and was chosen by Southeast Missouri State University as “The Best Choice to Become a Teacher” during his senior year. When Frank wasn’t studying, you could find him on the basketball court hooping it up.

Frank began his teaching career in January of 1988 at May Greene Elementary School. During his tenure at May Greene, he taught third through sixth grades. He was an instrumental part of the “Growing Your Own” program, which encouraged local graduates to stay in the area to teach. Frank also became a minority recruiter, traveling to various states to recruit other minority teachers. He loved children and wanted them to have the best access to quality education in order to become productive citizens.

In 1991, Frank received his master’s degree in elementary education and administration. Upon completion of his Master’s, he became the first African-American assistant principal in the Cape Girardeau School District, serving at Alma Schrader Elementary School. After serving two years in that role, he was promoted to principal.

Frank was selected to create the Central Middle School concept and went on to become principal of Central Middle School from 2002 to 2007. He left there to serve as the elementary school principal in Meridian, Illinois, where he served for three years. After serving as principal at Meridian, he went to serve as assistant principal and principal at Hearnes Elementary School at his hometown of Charleston. He served there until his retirement in 2017. His retirement was short-lived as he could not sit idle and he started teaching at St. Augustine School in Kelso, Missouri.

In his spare time, Frank and Sylvia enjoyed traveling and following his children on their club teams. He had an infectious smile and could love and hug like no other. He was an honorable man who loved all people, especially his children, nieces and nephews. For the past 25 years, Frank served as the sports announcer for the annual Southeast Missourian Girls and Boys Basketball Christmas Tournament. He was known for his infamous three pointer (3eee’s).

Frank was well-known in the Charleston, Meridian and Cape Girardeau communities. He will be greatly missed by those communities and his impact on the children he taught and worked with cannot be calculated. Frank’s greatest gift to all was the love he gave so freely to others.

In addition to his loving wife and children, Frank is survived by his brothers Robert (Lou Bertha) Hollomon of Charleston and Joseph (Winda) Ellis of Bellwood, Illinois; and a sister, Narda (Garwain) Bates of Charleston. He is also survived by a very special niece, Lanetha Ellis of Charleston, and a very special nephew, Joseph Ellis IV, of Bellwood. His Godchildren include Nichole Williams of Midland, Texas, Petty Officer 1st Class Desmen Johnson of Norfolk, Virginia, Dazique Hall of Springfield, Missouri, Delandis Gillespie of Cape Girardeau, Pershard Owens of Sikeston, Missouri, Aubrey Johnson of Norfolk, Sharee Williams of Cape Girardeau, Jennifer Tate of Columbia, Missouri, Caleb Johnson of Cape Girardeau, Raevyn Yarber of Detroit; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Frank was preceded in death by one sister, Inez Treadwell, and two brothers, Leslie Hollomon and Johnny Hollomon.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ford and Sons on Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau. Parish prayers and a rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Cape Girardeau. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to a scholastic scholarship via www.GoFundMe.org. (Search “In Memory of Mr. Frank Ellis”.)

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.