Sue Nelle (Burr) Ellis, age 90, of Greenbrier, passed peacefully into heaven on April 22, 2026.
Born on April 6, 1936, in Robertson County, she was the daughter of the late Guy A. Burr and Virgie Payne Burr.
Sue was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Frank Ellis; her daughter, Sue Ellen Stites; son-in-law, Lester Stites; grandson, Jesse Stites; and her brothers, Aaron (Dot) Burr, Leroy (Betsy) Burr, and Bill (June) Burr.
Sue attended Springfield High School, where she was a proud member of the marching band and played the saxophone. She graduated in 1954. She then attended business school in Nashville, where she studied accounting.
In 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Frank Ellis, and together they built a life centered on love, faith, and family. They shared 65 years of marriage and were blessed with three children: Ellen, Joe, and David.
Sue was a devoted member of Greenbrier First Baptist Church, where she faithfully served on several committees. She was especially passionate about the church’s food and clothing ministry and took great joy in helping others. She also participated in the after-school tutoring program, where she loved working with children and supporting their learning.
Before opening her own business, Sue worked as a teacher’s aide at Watauga Elementary School. She later became a business owner, opening Greenbrier Tax and Bookkeeping, where she served her community with dedication and care.
Sue was not only a devoted mother but an extraordinary grandmother. Her grandchildren spent their summers with Maw and Papa on the family farm-planting and picking in the garden, playing in the creek, and ending the day with root beer floats. Those simple, joyful moments became treasured memories that will live on for generations.
She is survived by her sons, Joe (Tina) Ellis and David (Stacey) Ellis; her sister, Mary Ellen Burr; her grandchildren, Rachel (Steven) Wilson, Rebecca (Chad) Clinard, Joey Ellis, Justin (Lora) Ellis, Jeremy Ellis, Jason Ellis, Josh (Lauren) Ellis, Jared Ellis, Derek (Kali) Adams, and Justin (Kristin) Adams; her great-grandchildren, Katie (Brett) Ferguson, Wesley Wilson, Alie (Nathan) Berger, Nash Clinard, Noah Clinard, Ella Clinard, Brooklyn Ellis, Tucker Ellis, Maverick Ellis, Jasper Ellis, Theo Ellis, Kenzie Adams, Kole Adams, Jameson Adams, Karissa Adams, and Jayden Adams; and her great-great-grands, The children of Katie and Brett- Ridge, Sawyer and soon to arrive Brooks . And many nieces and nephews who she loves dearly.
Sue will be remembered for her kindness, her servant’s heart, and her deep love for her family and community. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the love she so freely gave.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Greenbrier Historical Society where she was a founding and integral member or the Greenbrier or Springfield High School Marching Band programs.
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This obituary was published by Austin & Bell Funeral Home Greenbrier.
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