One of Cherokee County’s most well-known and well-respected residents has passed away.

Watt Andy “Dub” Ellis, Jr. passed away Wednesday morning at Cherokee Medical Center.

Mr. Ellis was a native of Cherokee County; he was a graduate of Auburn University after serving in the Merchant Marines in World War II; he was also the owner of Ellis Brothers, Inc. and Sure-Grow Seed Company.  Ellis Brothers Farms eventually expanded into a worldwide cotton seed processing and sales operation.

He was a member of the Auburn Alumni Association, charter member of the Centre Rotary Club a member of the Southeastern Seedmens Association, the Southeastern Ginner’s Association and the National Cotton Council.

Mr. Ellis had also served as a Chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Education, Chairman of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, President of the Cherokee County Cattlemen’s Association and trustee of Samford University.

He also served on the Soil & Water Conservation Board and the Cherokee Water Authority.

Mr. Ellis was also selected to the Agriculture Hall of Fame at Auburn University.

He was instrumental in the founding and development of the Cherokee County Country Club and the annual men’s Invitational Golf Tournament, which was later re-named in honor of Mr. Ellis – the generosity of he and his wife Sue also allowed for an expansion of the ballroom several years ago.

Mr. Ellis also had a portion of Highway 9 in Centre designated as “W.A. ‘Dub’ Ellis Boulevard”, in his honor.

Funeral services will be held Saturday (March 1st) at 3:00pm at the Centre First Baptist Church – the family will be receiving friends from 12:00 noon – 2:30pm Saturday.