Robert Adolphus “Bob” Ellis

1/12/1935 – 12/29/2025

Bob Ellis, age 90, of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, at Liberty Commons.  

A man of faith, integrity, and humor, Bob lived a life full of faith, devotion to his loved ones, and service to his country.  

Bob was born near Gasburg, Virginia, to his late parents, Jessie L. Ellis, Sr., and Doma Clary Ellis.  He was preceded in death by his two wives:  Pat of 54 years and mother of his two children, and Mary of 13 years.  He was also preceded in death by his son, Steve, and his two brothers, Bill and Joe.  

Bob graduated from Gaston High School in 1953.  After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force and proudly served for 21 years, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant.  He was stationed at Lockbourne, Otis, Seymour Johnson, and Pope and deployed to Guam, England, Germany, and Vietnam. Over 8 of his 21 years were served overseas. 

In Guam, his unit supported the Korean War.  He served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions.  While stationed at Lockbourne near Columbus, Ohio, he was a member of the crew that had the honor of servicing Air Force One during a visit by President John F. Kennedy in 1962.

While in Columbus, he met his wife Pat.  Years later, they adopted Rhonda as a newborn baby.  While deployed to Berlin, he and Pat adopted Steve from a German orphanage.  The young family lived in West Berlin, an island of freedom in Soviet-occupied East Germany.  Late in his military service, Bob became a licensed pilot and would fly his family from Fayetteville to the top of the hill in Gaston to visit family and friends.  

After retiring from the Air Force, Bob moved his family to Roanoke Rapids in 1972 and began a 20-year career for the United States Post Office, carrying mail on a walking route in his own neighborhood near Maple Street.  He earned an associate degree in Pre-Business from Halifax Community College.  He continued to work after his second retirement at Gaston Hardware and later for the Virginia Beach Pipeline.

Bob was proudly known by many names including “Muscles”, “Boss Hogg”, “Pillsbury,” and “Adolphus”. He never met a stranger and was beloved for his playful, self-deprecating spirit and his penchant for teasing.  He especially enjoyed teasing his younger brother Joe.  Bob’s most cherished nickname was “PawPaw”, as he was affectionately called by his three grandchildren.

Above all, Bob was a provider and a caregiver. He was deeply devoted to his first wife of 54 years, Pat, providing her with compassionate care for many years until her passing in 2009.  In 2012, he married his wife of 13 years, Mary Bray, and cared for her until her passing in January of 2025.

Bob grew up with a strong faith that continued throughout his adult life. He was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School, served on the Church Council, and was a fixture on the back pew.  He read through his entire Bible multiple times, highlighting passages with different colors on each reading.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Rhonda Kessinger and husband, Bill, of Littleton, NC; grandchildren, Kayla Kessinger of Greenville, SC, Matthew Kessinger and wife, Cassi, of Wilmington, NC, and Megan Kessinger and fiancé Kevin of Cary, NC; and a special friend and caregiver, Gloria Taylor of Garysburg, NC.

The family expresses heartfelt thanks to Liberty Commons and Liberty Hospice for the compassionate care they provided to Bob and for the comfort they provided to the family.  The family also expresses sincere thanks to Dr. Carol Rupe for making sure that Bob had the best possible medical care.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, starting at 1:00 pm at Wrenn Funeral Home with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 pm in the funeral home chapel.  Interment will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.  The Reverend Keith Porter will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that everyone consider a donation in Bob’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at stjude.org/donate or to your own faith community.