John Buford Ellis, 91 years old, of Shelby, NC passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

He was born in Grover, NC; the son of the late Zenith Alonzo Ellis and Annie Champion Ellis. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, sisters Margie Hamrick of Grover and Coleen Kiser of Kings Mountain, and brother Lionel Barnes of Little River, SC.

Buford is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Nanci Dover Ellis; daughters Patti Ellis McMurry (Andy) of Shelby, Katherine Ellis Brooks (Mark) of Boiling Springs, NC; brother Don Ellis (Lois) of Grover; six grandchildren Joy McMurry (Jamie), Paul Buford McMurry (Amber), Patrick McMurry (Mattie), Austin Boggs (Amy), Erica Boggs Riley (Bradley), Sarah Beam (Wesley Jones), sixteen great grandchildren Jacob, Luke, Jonah, Addie, Julia, Reese, Ellis, Piper, Emerson, Blakely, JJ, Easton, AJ, Charlotte, Grayson, and Hudson; and special caregiver, Faye Elder Guyton.

A 1951 graduate of Grover High School, he attended Howard Business College. Buford retired at the age of 85 after a very successful 62 years of sales at Clyde Short Company; he traveled all over the country and Puerto Rica during his career. He loved his customers and made countless lifelong friends during his career. Buford made 15 mission trips to Honduras, working with his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Larry and Jean Dover Elliott, building churches and clean water wells. He served on the Board of Directors of the Blue Ridge Safety Council; served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and member of the Finance Committee at Second Baptist Church in Shelby; served on the Finance Committee at First Baptist Church Kings Mountain. Buford was a charter member of the Shelby Exchange Club, participating for over 50 years and especially loved selling peanuts at the Cleveland County Fair. He was a 32nd degree Shriner with Oasis Temple in Charlotte, a member of Shelby Toastmasters, and a member of Sertoma (Service To Mankind) of Gastonia.

During his lifetime, he was presented with dozens of plaques, awards, and accolades for his church commitment, community service, and career achievements. A very humble man who found great joy in helping others in any way he could, he always said, "if you like what you're doing, it's not really work"! Buford enjoyed family vacations at the beach, Christmas holiday celebrations, yearly trips to Gaither Family Fest in Gatlinburg, daily exercising, yard work, fixing things around the house, and napping on Sundays while the Panthers played on the television.

He was a Southern Gentleman and a true man of integrity who seldom said a harsh word and had a sincere talent for making everyone he met feel valued and special. A family man, he truly loved his three girls - Nanci, Patti, and Katherine - with all his heart. We will always remember his unconditional love, his sweet laughter, his beautiful legs, his warm hugs, and the way he loved being together with his family. His prayers always ended with "Keep us safe and forgive us where we fail you. In Jesus name. Amen."

The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church Kings Mountain in the Stained Glass Room on Wednesday, October 16 at 12:30, followed by the funeral service at 2:00. Memorials are requested to go to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or to First Baptist Church, PO Box 768, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

Online condolences may be made at www.cecilburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is compassionately serving the family.