E. Donald Ollis

E. Donald Ollis, 80, of the Oak Hill Community, Morganton, NC went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. He was born May 10, 1930 in Yancey County, NC to the late Rev. Doris F. Ollis and Ruth Belle Buchanan Ollis. Mr. Ollis was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and was a faithful member of Zion Baptist Church where he served in many capacities over the years, including deacon. For several years Donald was an electrician. He also served as inspector for Burke County and the City of Morganton, from which he retired.A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Donald is survived by his wife of 57 years, Vera Whisnant Ollis of the home; daughters, Janet Wease and husband, Bill, and Donna Ollis Robinson, all of Morganton; grandchildren, Rusty Hollifield, Jr., Angie Powers, Taylor Hamby and fiancée, Ashley Sain, and Christian Hamby; great-grandsons, Michael and Cody Powers; brothers, Charlie Ollis and wife, Occie, David Ollis and wife, Nancy, Claude Ollis and wife, Jeanette, and Phillip Ollis and wife, Jean, all of Morganton, Simon Ollis and wife, Lynn, of Matthews, NC, and George Ollis and wife, Nancy, of Nebo, NC; a sister, Alma Staton and husband, Thurman, of Lenoir, NC; and a number of nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, Mr. Ollis was preceded in death by two sisters, Annie Ollis Clark and Lena Ollis Patton.The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Zion Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Steve Parker, Rev. Dr. Ralph May, and Rev. Keith Rose officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard. At other times the family will be at the home. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 3396 Pea Ridge Road, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.