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Thursday, July 5, 2001 , 1:00 p.m. 
Belle-Terrace Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Augusta, Georgia 
***** 
Reverend Melvin Lowry, Pastor, Officiating 
 
 TAe Obituary 
John i^Morim GlllS was born on December 16, 1919 in Due West, S.C. He was one of six children born to the late Robert and Susie Ellis. 
After completing his primary and secondary education in the public school system of South Carolina, he attended and was graduated from Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, N.C.) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and later a Master of Divinity Degree. He continued his education at I.T.C. (Atlanta), Princeton (New York), McCormick (Chicago) and Union (New York) Seminaries. He also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Morehouse College. 
Rev. Ellis was a pastor for nearly 40 years. For 14 years he served as pastor of Cheraw Second United Presbyterian Church (Cheraw, S.C.). For 25 years he served as pastor of John I. Blackburn Presbyterian Church (Keysville, Ga.), Westminster Presbyterian Church (Waynesboro), and Rand Memorial Mission (Midville). He also served as interim pastor at both Belle-Terrace and Christ Presbyterian Churches. 
A sincerely devoted man of faith, he was active not only in the churches he served but also in numerous public service organizations throughout his extraordinary career. His many leadership and public service positions included serving as President of Boggs Academy; President of the Burke County Board of Education; Moderator, Presbytery of Georgia and South Carolina; First Moderator, Synod of the Soudi; Administrator of the Burke County Office of Economic Opportunity Headstart Project, and President of the Burke County Improvement Association, Inc. He was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Most knew him as Rev. John M. Ellis, but to those closest to him, he was affectionately known as "Papa John." 
Rev. Ellis was married for nearly 50 years to the gracious Thelma Donest Gatson of Dunbarton, South Carolina who preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughter, Evelyn D. Ellis, Augusta; two grandsons, Paul B. Johnson and Christopher E. (Kimberly) Johnson, both of Atlanta; one great-grandson, Korey Ellis-Alexander Johnson, Atlanta; two sisters, Jennye (Zoel) Taylor, Simpsonville, S.C. and Roberta E. Howell, Oxford, N.C.; one brother, Robert N. (Edna) Ellis, Washington, D.C.; three sisters-in-law, Mary (Robert) Vaughn and Allean (Garfield) Conner, both of Charlotte, N.C. and Elizabeth (Benjamin) Holley, Columbia, S.C.; one brother-in-law, Marion Coulter, Charleston, S.C.; his dear companion, Eula Stallings; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. 
 
 1 
 
B LESSED IS the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the 
 
way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the 
 
scornful. 
 
, ...... 
 
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 
 
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers ofwater, that bringethforth hisfruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 
 
 "The Order oj Seruke 
Rev. Melvin Lowry, Presiding 
Processional.........."Adagio for Strings" ..... .Samuel Barber 
Hymn......."O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go" ...... .#384 Choir and Congregation 
Prayer ........................... -Dr. Kenyon Meeks Executive Presbyter Northeast Georgia Presbytery 
Scriptures: Psalm 121 ................. .Ms. Janice G. Lewis I Corinthians 15:51-58 ............ .Rev. Toe Lusk Chief Cf Chaplains, V.A. Hospital John 14:1-6 ................... -Rev. Otis Smith 
Choral Selection ......... .Belle-Terrace PresbjterMP Choi? 
Remarks: Mrs. Helen Henry, Johnson C. Smith Alumni Mr. Hubert Roberts, Westminster Presbyterian Mrs. Wanda Butler, Christ Presbyterian  ; Rev. Charlie Cook, Northeast Georgia Presbytery Dr. Melva Costen, Family 
Acknowledgements ................. .Mrs. Carol Eunice 
Choral Music . . ."City Called Heaven" .... .Susan Poelinitz Creative Impressions 
Words of Comfort ................. .Rev. Melvin Lowry 
An Affirmation of Faith ............. .Dr. Kenyon Meeks Presbyterian Hymnal p. 14 (Traditional) 
The Lords Prayer ..................... .Congregation 
Closing Hymn . . ."Be Thou My Vision" ........... .#339 
Recessional ......... ."Pie Jesu" . . .Andrew Lloyd Webber Creative Impressions 
 
 For the joy that was you, 
 
For the love that you gave me 
 
For the rich times we knew. 
 
Your laughter was infectious; 
 
You were real, through and through 
 
People were naturally 
 
Affected by you. 
 
r 
 
And you cared, my dear Daddy 
 
For the condition of men. 
 
So you stood up and fought, 
 
And my, how youd win. 
 
You fought for the teacher, 
 
You fought for the poor, 
 
You faced racial storms, 
 
Encouraging all to endure. 
 
And God blessed your efforts 
 
My courageous, dear Dad 
 
Lives were improved 
 
For you gave all you had. 
 
And oh, how you loved 
 
The Church and its call. 
 
With integrity and dignity, 
 
You gave Her your all. 
 
With wisdom and vision 
 
You lived a great life. 
 
You were a strong city 
 
For daughter, grandsons, and wife. 
 
Even in your great suffering 
 
You were majestic and strong, 
 
You could laugh even then, 
 
In the midst of your storm. 
 
You said, "I am ready" 
 
When the Lord called you home, 
 
You slept like an infant, 
 
And then you were gone. 
 
I will miss you, my daddy, 
 
And I will do all I can 
 
To live my life in honor 
 
Of you ... a most magnificent man. 
 
I love you, Your daughter, 
Evelyn 
 
 Al Thomas Patrick Norris 
 
Pallbearers 
Charles Grant Benjamin Holley 
 
James Rouse Wesley Hobbs 
 
^Honorary Pallbearers 
Johnson C. Smith University Alumni 
 
> flower bearers 
Presbyterian Women of Belle-Terrace Presbyterian Women of Christ Presbyterian Church 
 
****** 
 
~ Our (J\\am\ ^Thanks ~ 
 
The Ellis Family wishes to express our deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation for the 
 
overwhelming outpouring of love, encouragement, 
 
and assistance given us. We pray Gods richest blessing 
 
upon you. 
 
In Christ 
 
 
 
The Family of Rev. John M. Ellis 
 
? 
 
****** 
A memorial fund has been established in the name of Rev. John Ellis. For more information please call Rev. Melvin Lowry at Belle-Terrace Presbyterian Church on (706) 793-6916. 
 
****** 
 
W. H. Mays Mortuary 
"Professional Service A Family Tradition Since 1922" 1221 James Brown Boulevard, Augusta, Georgia (706) 722-6401