Phillip Lee Ellington

November 8, 1939 - August 2, 2020

Phillip Lee Ellington, 80, of Kingsport, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Summerfield, NC to the late Sam and Estelle Ellington. Phillip graduated from Summerfield High School in 1957 where he was the co-captain of the football team and a member of the FFA. He served in the U. S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer for 27 years. He served two tours in Vietnam and was a part of the Cuban Blockade. Phillip retired from the Kingsport City Schools as a Paint Foreman after 27 years of service. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Phillip was a member of the Moravia Moravian Church in Summerfield, NC. He enjoyed traveling, NASCAR, high school football, UT football and UNC basketball. Phillip enjoyed working outside and loved spending time with his family. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Dan Ellington and daughter in law, Karen Ellington; granddaughter, Allison Bushey; infant sister and special pet, Mojo. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 35 years, Cindy Sifferd Ellington; daughters, Sherry Bushey (Allen), Christina Baine (Scott) and Erica Whitaker; sons, Derek Absher and Robert Irvin; granddaughters, Danielle Nadeau (Cory) and Tasha Ellington; grandsons, Aaron Bushey (Mandy), Michael Boatright (Ashly), Christian Boatright and Joshua Whitaker; great granddaughters, Emily Bushey and Addison Bushey; great grandsons, J.D. Testerman, Tucker Nadeau, Aiden Bushey and Sullivan Nadeau; sisters, Patricia Hill (Maynard) and Kay Bennett (Johnny); brother, Sam Ellington (Judy); several nieces, nephews and his “special girl” Ellie. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm Friday, August 7, 2020, at Oak Hill Funeral and Cremation Services in the J. Wayne Hamilton Memorial Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2:00 pm with Danny Howe officiating. The service may be viewed on Facebook by visiting Cindy Sifferd Ellington’s Facebook page. The family respectfully requests visitors wear a face mask and adhere to social distancing. Military Rites will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park in the Chapel Mausoleum by the U. S. Navy Military Honor's Team and the American Legion Post #3 & Post #265. The family would like to extend a special thank you to our friend and caregiver, Kym Meade, for her compassion and care. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakhillfh.com The care of Phillip Ellington and his family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral and Cremation Services.