BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
EDISON — It was union that almost didn’t happen 71 years ago because of red hair.
Doris Ellis, formerly Huston, said in her eyes George “Red” Ellis, who she grew up with in New Brunswick, was out of the question to date because red hair did not appeal to her.
“I had my eyes set on someone else,” she recalled.
However, that all changed one day when George walked into the St. James Methodist Church in New Brunswick after coming back from serving during World War II in the United States Army in 1945.
Ellis is an ex-Prisoner of War, which Doris said she had no idea about at the time.
“We never talked before that and I had never written to him when he was in the service,” she said.
After the church service, Doris said she and George started talking.
He showed me a picture of a girl he had met,” said Doris. “I don’t know what came over me, I did not like that too much … we have been together ever since.”
On April 20, 1946, Doris Ellis married George “Red” Ellis at the very same church they caught feelings for each other.
This past week, as they celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary, the long-time couple spoke candidly about what makes long relationships last.
“We never go to bed mad at each other,” said Doris. “Whatever it is, we make up before bed.”
George said they know every move each other makes.
“We do for each other,” he said.
Doris admitted she is a bit spoiled. Her husband makes sure the car is filled with gas and facing the roadway in the driveway.
“We do everything together,” she said. “If he has a place to go with the military, I go with him. A lot people know me as Mrs. Red.”
The Ellis’ settled in Edison in the 1950s. They were the first people to move into the area on Miko Road, which they recalled was rural and farmland at the time.
They said they are fortunate to have had such a good life together raising a son, George, known as Topper, who followed his father’s footsteps with his service in the United States Air Force and daughter, Linda. Both of their children are graduates of Edison High School.
Today they have five grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
“All of them are scattered all over,” said Doris adding that their son lives in Washington state and their daughter is in Missouri.
The Ellis’ said they remain active in their church Community Presbyterian Church and continue to enjoy their time together.
