Ellis Merle Worley, aka Pop and Unc Doodle, passed away on January 15, 2012. Pop was born in Whitney, Texas, on February 9, 1931, to James Elijah and Charlotte Pearl Worley. He was the youngest of 7 children. Ellis Merle met the love of his life, Patsy Kala Swift, in Whitney in 1949. They married on February 17, 1951. After stints in the National Guard, selling insurance and working for Armor meats, he and Pat settled in Leonard, Texas, in 1960 to raise their three children. He drove a truck for C&H Transportation for many years, taught at a truck driving school, and in retirement drove a school bus. He was a Mason, a school board member, and a member of First Baptist Church of Leonard. Pop was amazing in so many ways. He loved the Lord, his family, and friends. He had a positive impact on everyone he met by the way he lived his life. He never had an unkind word about anyone. He had a fighting spirit to the end. In addition to spending time with Mom, his family, and his granddog, Lucky, some of Pop’s loves were gardening, especially growing watermelons for his great grandchildren; enjoying the orange trees in Palm Springs; and cheering for his Longhorns. He is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, Pat Worley; son James “Butch” and wife Angie, son Jeff and wife Pam, and daughter Kala Palmer. Ellis was blessed with 5 grandchildren, Kendra Bennett, Blake Worley and wife Joni, Whitney Branch and husband Jonathan, Paige Palmer, and Tyler Worley; and 10 great grandchildren, Keegan, Jordan, Kaylie, Hannah, Rebekah, Madison, Joey, Annabelle, Daxon, and Cyler; sister-in-law Janie Peirson and brother-in-law Garth Swift, as well as many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Blake Worley, Tyler Worley, Barry Peirson, Brad Peirson, Jonathan Branch, Josh Laven, Justin Maddox, and John McKee Myers. Honary Pallbearers are the members of Pop’s Sunday School class. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, January 18, 2012, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Leonard, Texas. Funeral services will be at First Baptist Church of Leonard at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012.