Roddey S. 'Joe' Ellis, III

Roddey Stevenson Ellis, III, affectionately known as ‘Joe’, husband of Jane Price Ellis, passed away on June 8, 2025, at McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville, South Carolina. He most recently resided at Cascades Verde in Greenville, South Carolina, and lived on Kiawah Island for 15 years after moving there from his hometown of Due West, South Carolina.

A ninth generation native of Due West, Joe was born September 17, 1947, to the late Roddey Stevenson Ellis, Jr. and Mary Frances Ellis. He was a 1969 graduate of Erskine College and US Army Veteran. He enjoyed a long career as owner and operator of the Due West Oil Mill, a 100-year-old family business. Joe was a long-time member of the Due West Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon, elder and, like his grandfather before him, church treasurer for 20 years. He was a member of the Due West Town Council for many years and served on the Board of Directors for the Abbeville First Bank along with many other civic and community organizations.

Joe enjoyed walking on the beach with Jane, reading about South Carolina history, cooking and spending time with his friends and family where he was always the best storyteller in the room.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Reid Ellis and nephew, Bowen Ellis.

Joe is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jane Ellis of Greenville; sons Steven Ellis (Molly) of Johns Island, South Carolina, and Sloan Ellis (Brittany) of Greenville; grandchildren Avery Ellis, Anna Jane Ellis, Claire Ellis and Benjamin Ellis; brother Betts Ellis (Traci) of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will welcome friends in the Due West ARP Church fellowship hall from 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Friday, June 13, 2025. Funeral services will begin at 3:00PM in the church sanctuary. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials, in memory of Joe, can be made to the Due West ARP Church, PO Box 397, Due West, SC 29639; St. Mary’s Baptist Church, 1011 Bethlehem Church Road, Due West, SC 29639; or charity of one’s choice.

A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.

Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Abbeville is assisting the Ellis family.