Alexander Edwin Nellis

August 14, 1909 - July 8, 2004

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Alexander ?Al? Edwin Nellis, 94, Taylors, SC, husband of Dorothy Zollars Nellis, passed July 8, 2004, at St. Francis Hospital. Born in Grosse Isle, Michigan on August 14, 1909, he was the son of Frank and Mary Nellis. Mr. Nellis was predeceased by three siblings. Mr. Nellis attended Western Michigan University where he was a member of the tennis team for four years and he served as captain of the team in his senior year. He also was a member of the marching band. After college, Mr. Nellis spent his career as a public school teacher in the Michigan Public School System until his retirement in 1975. In addition to teaching, he served as Tennis Coach and Athletic Director for Riverview High School in Riverview Michigan. After his retirement in 1975 he moved to Greenville where he served as a substitute teacher for the Greenville County School System and later served as a crossing guard at Mitchell Road Elementary School. Throughout his life, Mr. Nellis constantly pursued his love of tennis, athletics, and music. He won countless tennis championships, tournaments, and titles at the Local, State and National level. After his move to Greenville, he continued to pursue his love of tennis and music, but he added marathon running and participation in the Senior Olympics to his repertoire. At the age of 81, he completed his last full marathon. In over 20 years participating in the Senior Olympics, Mr. Nellis won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at both the State and National level with his most recent medals coming in the 2004 South Carolina Senior Olympics. He was honored as both State and National Senior Atalete of the Year on several occasions. Mr. Nellis was a member of Lee Road United Methodist Church and of his accomplishments, he was most proud of the fact that he had not missed attending a Church service on any Sunday from 1960 until his death. He was also a former choir member and a member of the United Methodist Men. Surviving Mr. Nellis is his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Zollars Nellis, of Greenville, SC; the couples daughter, Sharon Nellis Hoskins, and a son-in-law, Troy K. Hoskins. Additionally, Mr. Nellis had five grandchildren, Robert E. Hoskins, Kenneth W. Hoskins, Charles D. Hoskins, Richard G.P. Hoskins, and Natalie E. Hoskins, as well as four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 10, 2004 at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown Chapel, 639 N. Main Street, Greenville, SC. Burial will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends and acquaintances wishing to pay respects at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home on Saturday, July 10, 2004 from 1:30 until 2:50 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Lee Road United Methodist Church, 1377 East Lee Road, Taylors, SC 29687.

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Thank you, Mr. Allen, for thinking of and remembering my grandfather! I was just thinking of him and thought I’d check his guestbook and saw your post. Thank you, again!

My wife, Kathryn Williams, and I wish to express our sincere sympathy to the family of Al Nellis. We are close friends of his grandson, Rob Hoskins. We will be thinking of Rob, Dorothy, Sharon, Troy and all members of Al's extended family at this time. S

It was a pleasure to know Al and play tennis with him. He was amazing. He is missed by us all.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. God Bless.

Our warmest thoughts to all of the Hoskins family. Mr. Nellis was a smiling inspiration to those who knew him, and an example of how to enjoy life.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Al Nellis was my grandfather. I wish to thank you all for your comments and condolonces.He was an amazing man who lived every moment of his life to its fullest. More amazing is the seemingly endless list of things he accomplished.He was loved by many, and

Al Nellis is my grandfather. I was so proud of him. I loved him dearly and now he is gone, and I will truly miss him until I see him again one day.

Although I missed speaking to you at the funeral, Troy, I did want you to know how much Al has meant to us and our church. He re-introduced me to tennis 30 years ago by giving me a racquet. We bought Chevettes together from Charles Ashmore's fleet. He tau

Sorry to hear about the passing of Al Nellis. He was a pioneering citizen in the City of Riverview. I fondly remember him as a math teacher at Huntington School. Condolences on behalf of the City of Riverview. Mayor Tim Durand

My children and I will miss seeing Mr. Nellis's smiling face in front of Mitchell Rd. Elementary. I'm sure he touched many lives. The Cook family- Ashford, Lisa, Hunter, Riley and Greyson

Chuck, my thoughts are with you Sherry and your family. Your grandfather sounds like an incredible man and I only wish we would have had the opportunity to meet him. Kat & Julian

Al was an excellent example of an outstanding professional educator. I was privileged to have had the opportunity to work with Al for twenty plus yours in Riverview. He taught me to enjoy badminton @ tennis.

We are sad at Al's leaving us and we sympathise with your loss. Al was an inspiration to us all with his continued interest in sports and fitness and his unselfish services to the community over many years. We shall miss seeing him around Greenville and,

"Enough to Be Around" Some want to be rich And make a big sound It?s enough for me Just to be around Happiness is Life And Happiness found When you find you?re happy Just to be around -A poem by Al Nellis published in Shadows and Light Th

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.