Doris Ellis, center, was honored recently upon her retirement at WDEF News 12 after nearly 50 years of service. With her are her husband, Carl, and her daughter, Cara.
Doris Adkins Ellis, who has worked at local television station WDEF-News 12 since 1967, was honored at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo in celebration of her retirement. Doris’s brother, Ray Adkins, emceed the event, which was attended by dozens of local radio and TV personalities, elected officials, friends, and family.
Doris's career at WDEF began shortly after graduation from Central High School and ran the gamut from switchboard, sales department, traffic manager to director of programming and community service. She has served as president to several civic and business organizations including the Chattanooga Valley Lioness Club, American Women in Radio and Television and The Chattanooga Ad Federation. Also, Doris was the recipient of the prestigious Silver Medal Award, which recognizes men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the advertising industry.
During her career, Doris worked with well-known local radio and television personalities of the present and the past, including Harry Thornton, Ruth Bloyer, Judy Corn, Mort Lloyd, John Gray, Don Welch and David Carroll, and with support team members Jimmy Sampley, Tommy Eason, and David Moore. She said, “The staff at WDEF News 12 are like family, they will always be close to my heart.” According to News 12 Reporter Bill Mitchell, "Doris is our unofficial den mother, she always makes sure those of us who work holidays, have plenty of food to eat and are well taken care of."
Doris worked closely with the late local radio and TV icon Luther Masingill and said she still has and treasures “the make-up kit I used every day for Luther before he went on the air.” Luther's wife, Mary, she noted, “gave me a shadow box with Luther's favorite tie at my retirement celebration. This has become one of my most prized possessions.”
She said, “I've had the wonderful opportunity to work with some of Chattanooga's most privileged citizens, with those most in need and with all of those in between, and hope that in some small way have helped make a difference.
I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life and spending more time with my husband, Carl, and daughter, Cara, and family."
Phil Cox, general manager of WDEF, presents Doris Ellis with a service award for invaluable years of service at WDEF News 12