A.V. Ellis
A.V. Ellis was a World War II veteran, an educator, school principal and superintendent of schools in Scott County who died while teaching school in war-torn Vietnam in 1970.
See Also: Scott County School Superintendents
Preceded By: John Lee West • Succeeded By: Ora S. Robbins
Born Sept. 15, 1916, Ellis was the son of Berbin Ellis (1890-1972) and Pernie Robbins (1896-1987). He was a grandson of Mitt Robbins, who served as a Scott County Judge in the 1920s. He was one of five children.
Ellis attended Oakland City College in Oakland City, Ind., and received a masters degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn.
Family
Ellis married Maud Kathleen Madden (1918-2003) in 1939. Like him, she was a school teacher and also coached basketball. They had two children: John Edward, who died in infancy, and Mary Etta Neely. Their granddaughter, Kathy Obrusanszki, also serves as an educator in Scott County.
World War II
Ellis served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, obtaining the rank of captain.
Professional Life
Ellis began his career in education as a teacher in the Scott County School System, and was later appointed principal at Robbins High School, a post he held for four years.
Later, Ellis was coordinator of the planning process for the new Scott High School, which was built in 1971. He ended his career as an educator in the Civil Service.
Scott County School Superintendent
Ellis was elected Scott County School Superintendent in 1948, replacing John Lee West. He held that post until 1952, when he was succeeded by Ora Shoemaker Robbins.
Civil Service Educator
Ellis joined the Civil Service as an educator and served in Savanah, Ga., and Glascow, Mont. before going to Guam and later to Vietnam.
Ellis had taught for nine months in Vietnam when he fell ill and returned to the United States.
Death
Ellis was airlifted from Vietnam to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington after he became sick. He returned home to Scott County for two weeks after being discharged from the hospital, but was then admitted to the hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Knoxville, Tenn., where he died on May 5, 1970, at age 53. His father suffered a non-fatal heart attack that same day.
Ellis was buried at Reed Cemetery in the New River community.
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