Brien A. Ellis, 82 of Smithville, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away March 26 at St Thomas DeKalb Hospital after a brief illness.

Brien was born in England on June 4, 1935 and was raised in Wales until the age of 14 when he entered the British Royal Navy. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering and worked in England at what was known then as Nuturn (Federal Mogul). He was transferred to Nuturn in Smithville in 1979 where he met his loving wife of 34 years, Joyce May Ellis. He was also a member of the Smithville First United Methodist Church.

Funeral service was held Wednesday, March 28 at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Dr. John Carpenter officiated with burial following in the Burton-Ponder Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Teresa Hogdin Ellis; daughter, Susan Ellis and granddaughter named after him, Alexandra Sierra Norton.

In addition to his wife of 34 years, Ellis is survived by four children, Christine, Jackie, Richard and Tony Ellis and their families, all of England; three brothers, Kevin, Terry and Gerad and one sister, Maureen, all of England; three step-children, Greg Dugdale, Laura Dugdale of DeKalb County and Rosalin and Antonio Rangel of McMinnville; 13 grandchildren with four living close, Gregory Norton, Winston Dugdale, Olivia Dugdale and Emma Grace Rangel. He is also survived by several great grandchildren of England. He is also survived by many special friends, including Angela Wilsdorf, Alan Norton and Gary and Kim Johnson.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.