Edward Lee Elliott, 66, of South Pittsburg, TN passed into the loving arms of Jesus on the morning of Saturday, January 2, 2021 with his daughter by his side.  You may have known him as "Big Ed", "Eddie", or even, "Mayor of Billy Goat Hill".  He was a lifelong resident of South Pittsburg and he loved his community.  He had a strong passion for others and loved people.  He never met a stranger.  He was always willing to help and go above and beyond to ensure that he served others well.  Ed enjoyed working with his hands and knew how to fix just about anything.  He also loved fishing.

Ed attended South Pittsburg High School.  He married the love of his life, Wanda, on June 23, 1973.  Ed was very involved in the South Pittsburg Lions Club and served as President.  Not only was he involved at the community level, he also served in the District 12-0 Lions Club of Tennessee and actively devoted time to the Lions World Services for the Blind school in Little Rock, Arkansas.  He gathered several loads of donated lawn mowers and delivered them to the school for their program which trains the visually impaired to repair lawn mowers.  One of his favorite things to do as a Lions Club member was go to the local nursing home and play Bingo with the residents.  He loved getting them from their rooms and bringing joy to their faces.  Ed was also active in restarting the South Pittsburg Leo Club and helping the Whitwell Lions Club get started. He received many recognition awards as a Lion at both the local and district levels.

Another passion of Ed's was the children in the community. He wanted them to have a safe place to play.  He had a dream of building a playground that all could use.  His dream became a reality with the building of Playground Paradise.  He devoted countless hours to heading up the project and ensuring that the children of South Pittsburg would have a playground they could enjoy for years.  He was awarded the key to the city of South Pittsburg because of his dedication and service to the community.

Ed also thoroughly enjoyed dressing up as Santa Claus.  He loved bringing a smile to everyone he came into contact with.  At Christmas time, he would put on his Santa suite and visit the kids at school, he would stand on the street corner in town and wave at cars as they passed, and he was even Santa in the Christmas parade one year.

One thing is for sure, Ed left a legacy of loving and serving others.  He impacted everyone he came into contact with.  May his life be a reminder of how we should treat others.

Ed is preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Arlene Elliott; his son, Brandon Lee Elliott; and his father, Charles Edward Elliott.

He is survived by his mother, Judy Elliott of South Pittsburg, TN; daughter Kelly (Bryan) Gilley of Hendersonville, TN; brother Richard (Christie) Elliott of Knoxville, TN; and several cousins as well as nieces and nephews.

The family will receive family and friends for visitation on Friday, January 8, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (CST) at Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg.

Funeral services will be conducted from the South Pittsburg Rogers Funeral Home chapel at 2:00 p.m. (CST) on Friday, January 8, 2021 with Pastor Chris King officiating.

Interment will be in Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens in Jasper, TN immediately following.

Ed loved flowers with tulips being his favorite.  Donations may also be made to the South Pittsburg Lions Club Edward Elliott Scholarship Memorial Fund.

Arrangements are by Rogers Funeral Home, of South Pittsburg, TN; 400 Laurel Ave., South Pittsburg, TN (423) 837-7176.