Ruth Ellis Obituary

Ruth W. Ellis

July 7, 1930 -

December 8, 2025

Ruth W. Ellis, 95, passed away peacefully, on December 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She maintained her strong faith, compassion, and sweet smile until God ushered her into His presence.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Susie Wiseman; her brothers, Jack, Arnold, Ralph, and Bobbie; her first husband of 52 years, Richard "Dick" Ellis; and her second husband, Vincent DiGregorio.

Ruth was born on July 7, 1930, in Burnsville, NC. Her family later moved to the Milligan area where she attended Happy Valley High School. There, she met her husband, Dick. She also played varsity basketball and became a lifelong basketball fan. Ruth attended Emory University in Atlanta briefly while residing with Dick in Marietta during his Air Force service. She later graduated from the Vanderbilt School of Banking. Ruth grew into a woman whose presence felt like a thread of God's light. She shared warmth, wisdom, and encouragement to countless lives, and was a torch bearer for young women and their dreams.

Ruth was an honorary alumna of East Tennessee State University and a former director of the ETSU Foundation. She was very involved with several committees during the early days of the Quillen College of Medicine. She also served on the Tennessee Board of Regents and was an honorary member of the Alpha Delta Kappa International Honor Society for Women Educators. She served as a director of the Federal Reserve Board, Atlanta-Nashville Branch. Her 33-year banking career included starting as a teller at Hamilton Bank all the way to serving as the president of the newly formed Mountain Empire Bank in 1974, which later became Bank of America. She retired from Banking in 1989. While she was still working, Ruth and Dick started Tennessee Pottery in Johnson City and continued to operate the business for 23 years.

Ruth served as the first woman president of the Johnson City/Washington County Chamber of Commerce, where she was inducted into the Chamber Hall of Fame in 2004. She served on the Tennessee Technology Foundation Board and the Johnson City-Jonesborough-Washington County Economic Development Board and received the State of Tennessee First Lady Award in 1976. She was also a member of the Johnson City Evening Rotary Club.

Ruth's faith shaped every corner of her life. A devoted member of Central Baptist Church since 1964, she poured herself into ministries she cherished- especially working with college students, the multicultural Sunday School class, and the young professionals group. In each of these places, her gentle encouragement became a beacon to those seeking God's love.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers who surrounded her with compassion and rendered excellent care during the later years of her life. They would also like to express appreciation to Amedisys Home Health Services and Amedisys Hospice.

Ruth is survived by her son, Dr. Keith Ellis (Michelle); granddaughters, Rachel Corn (Jason) and Sarah Ruth Barnett (Bryan); great-grandchildren, Hudson and Iris; foster daughter, Dr. Min Jin; and many friends that will forever cherish her memory.

Family and friends are invited to Central Baptist Church, 300 N. Roan St. Johnson City, TN 37601 on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Visitation will begin at 3:00 PM, followed by the Service at 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, Ruth requests that memorials may be made to the Dick Ellis Shoe Fund at Central Baptist Church, or to The American Lung Association at www.action.lung.org.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.tetrickfuneralservices.com.

Tetrick Funeral Services, Johnson City, is honored to serve the Ellis family (423-610-7171).