Robert Grover Ellison

Obituary: Robert Grover (Hoby) Ellison, age 90, passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at the Bob & Carolyn Tucker Hospice House, Kannapolis, NC. He went to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by family and friends. He was born June 24, 1919 in Belton, SC. He was the fourth of eight children born to the late Pallie King Ellison and the late Clarence Grover Ellison. He moved to Kannapolis in 1937 and graduated from J.W. Cannon High School in 1940. Hoby and his late wife, the former Helen Roberts, were married on January 31, 1942. He served in World War II in the U.S. Army's 148th Medical Unit as an x-ray technician on the island of Saipan. It was 4 ½ years before he was reunited with his bride. Hoby was an extremely gifted baseball player, having played in many leagues over the years. He was honored in 1939 and 1940 by being inducted into the Cannon High School Hall of Fame as an outstanding baseball player for those years. He retired from the former Cannon Mills Company after 50 years of service. Hoby was a charter member of New Hope Lutheran Church, formerly Bethany Lutheran, where he was active in all phases of his church until his health declined. Preceding him in death were his wife, Helen Roberts Ellison, his mother-in-law, Agnes Daugherty Roberts of the family home, a sister and brother-in-law, Leona Ellison Austin and husband, Floyd of Kannapolis, and brothers, Greenlee and David Ellison of Belton, and Tom Ellison of Greeville, SC. The funeral service will be 3:00 P.M. Sunday, September 6, 2009 at New Hope Lutheran Church officiated by Rev. Kim Trabold. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC. Military Graveside rites will be conducted by the Cabarrus County Veteran's Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00 P.M. Sunday at the church prior to the service. Survivors include his niece, Sherry Austin Page and husband, David of Kannapolis who cared for Hoby for the last ten years. He is also survived by a niece, Rubynel Austin Pilch and husband, Bob of Pearisburg, VA, by a sister, Lola Shirley Dyar of Anderson, SC, two brothers, James Ellison and wife, Grace of Greenville,SC, Edwin Ellison and wife, Joyce of Belton, SC, as well as two sisters-in-law, Christine Ellison of Greenville and Carolyn Ellison of Belton. There are many nieces and nephews who will miss their kind-hearted , witty Uncle Hoby. Hoby Ellison was an extraordinary man. His beliefs of God and country were deeply rooted . He had a huge heart and was always there for his family and friends in a most selfless way. Those who knew him best learned quickly that he loved to sing and was blessed with a beautiful voice. We were honored to enjoy him for 90 years. The family would like to express our appreciation to the Hospice House Angels, Rev. Kim Trabold, and our loving, supportive friends including Janis, Delana, Anna, Donna, and Angel. Memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081 OR New Hope Lutheran Church, 1615 Brantley Road, Kannapolis, NC 28083. On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com who is handling the arrangements.
Visitation: 2:00 to 3:00 pm, Sunday, September 6, 2009, at New Hope Lutheran Church

Service: 3:00 pm, Sunday, September 6, 2009, at New Hope Lutheran Church

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis, NC