Doris M. Ellis was born in her Maternal Grandfather’s farmhouse in Surry County, Virginia. She is the youngest of four children born to Lawrence L. Ellis and Grace L. Flowers Ellis. Doris was educated in the public schools of Surry County, where she met and fell in love with Joe Ellis, their relationship began because they both played varsity basketball for Luther P. Jackson High School, they were both Ellis’, and they both wore uniform #24.

Doris received a BS Degree from Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, and completed The School of Bank Management at The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.

After serving the community for almost 35 years, Doris retired from SonaBank, formerly The Bank of Waverly, as Vice President/Branch Manager. Because of her love for the children of her beloved Surry County, Doris began to work as a Substitute Teacher for Surry County Public Schools, and she currently remains in that position.

Doris has three (3) children; Kimberly, Keisha, and Joseph, Jr. (Joey). She also has six (6) grandchildren; Keion, Keionna, Joseph, III (Tre), Keivon, Joelle, and Jaedan.

“Going Out a Champion: The Coach Joe Ellis Story”, the biography of her late husband, Joseph A. Ellis, is Doris’ first published work.