Ellis Ray Aplin

Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Ellis “Pete” Aplin of Samson passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. He was 84.  Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2019, in the chapel of Pittman Funeral Home in Samson with Rev. Hubert McWaters and Rev. Will Jordan, officiating.  Burial will follow at New Home Baptist Church Cemetery with Pittman Funeral Home of Samson directing.  The family will receive friends before the service on Friday beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Mr. Aplin was born in Geneva County on February 14, 1935, to the late James Houston Aplin and Mary Ruth Alford Aplin.  He served in the US Army during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  During his thirty-four-year career, he rose through the ranks to command sergeant major, a rank that just one percent of enlisted service members reach.  Following his military service, Mr. Aplin retired from his civilian contractor job at Ft. Rucker.  In his pastime, he enjoyed Nascar and Auburn Football.  He dearly loved his grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and his beloved dog, Lucky.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Margaret Aplin of Samson; son, Kenneth Aplin (Kerri) of DeFuniak Springs, FL; daughter, Sheila Herring (James) of Wicksburg; four grandchildren, Ethan, and Abby Herring, and Zachary and Kaylee Aplin. The family would like to offer a special thank you to his caregivers, Alexis, Kayla, and Becky of Encompass Hospice.

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