SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 21

(By Senators Stollings, Beach, and Plymale)

[Introduced February 14, 2018]

Requesting the Division of Highways name bridge number 23-16/49-0.02 (23A234), locally known as Ellis Lumber Bridge, carrying County Route 16/49 over Buffalo Creek in Logan County, the “U. S. Army PFC Charles Thurman ‘Buddy’ Ellis Memorial Bridge”.

Whereas, Charles Thurman “Buddy” Ellis was born November 14, 1924, in Sunbeam, WV, son of the late Floyd and Catherine Ellis; and

Whereas, He attended Logan County schools until the eighth grade; and

Whereas, He joined the United States Army on June 10, 1943, where he served on the beaches of Normandy during WWII; and loved to tell stories about the war and how it was in Normandy that he learned to drive; and he returned home on February 16, 1946; and

Whereas, When he returned home he began driving a truck for Ideal Cleaners. It was there that he met his wife, Juanita, whom he married on February 15, 1947. After some time, he began selling merchandise, along with delivering dry-cleaning on his delivery truck. He and Juanita founded Ellis Clothing in the 1950s, which sold clothing, housewares, and general merchandise. In 1972, the decision was made to focus on hardware and building supplies. They bought property in Crown and erected a new store. Ellis Supply prospered and continues to serve our area today, with locations in Crown and Oceana; and

Whereas, He and his wife joined a church on November 20, 1949, and helped build the current Man Church of the Nazarene. Buddy believed that you should be in church any time the door is open and that supporting the church should be a priority. Throughout his 68 years of church membership, Buddy served in many offices and capacities including: Lifelong trustee on the church board where he served for over 60 years; sang with the choir; salted the parking lot; kept the candy basket stocked with peppermints; Sunday school teacher; Sunday school superintendent; church treasurer; and church bus driver. Leading people to Jesus was his passion in life. He transported countless people to church over the years and never had a conversation that didn't include his testimony or a church invitation; and

Whereas, Charles Thurman “Buddy” Ellis, 92, of Man, joined his beloved wife, Juanita, in heaven on Thursday, April 20, 2017; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U. S. Army, PFC Thurman “Buddy” Ellis and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name bridge number 23-16/49-0.02 (23A234), locally known as Ellis Lumber Bridge, carrying County Route 16/49 over Buffalo Creek in Logan County, the “U. S. Army PFC Thurman ‘Buddy’ Ellis Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “U. S. Army PFC Charles Thurman ‘Buddy’ Ellis Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.