OUR DAD....

. HIS JOURNEY

Our dad.... His Legacy A man who brought the sparks everywhere he went! Imagine his mom Erma Green Ellis frantically awaiting his arrival while his dad George Ellis Sr. paces back-and-forth, pouring sweat, nervous as a jaybird - although he should have been a pro by then since Daddy was the seventh of nine children. Nevertheless, on that cold and windy day in Pope, Mississippi where the temperature was only 37° A Day of blessings and worldwide celebration. January 1, 1945, not only began the first day of a new year but also our dad was born, and time begin with his life's journey. Growing up and attending Spring Hill Pope Church in Pope, Mississippi he gave his life to Christ as his personal savior, and we know that if your parents were from the south everybody left the house early to church because they didn't have it any other way. Dad attended Batesville schools in Paola County and not long after high school he straight way married he is "good thing", our mom, Helen T. Ellis on October 5, 1965. The next four years became a trial period to determine where they would spend the rest of their lives. They moved from Mississippi to Chicago back to Mississippi before finally settling down in Detroit, Michigan in 1969. They began the next chapter building family together with their three most awesome children. Our dad was the man with his hands, he was always working on someone's car, whether at the auto shop, the backyard, driveway, or an open field, all you had to do was tell daddy what sound your car was making or what didn't seem right, and he always had an answer to fix the problem.

In 1969 he began working at Ford Motor Company for more than a decade all while yet making time for his favorite sport, baseball. Our dad along with my uncle and friends formed a baseball team called the Homeboys and dad played right field. As children, we were so excited to go and see our dad play baseball every single week at James field or softball city, he absolutely loves baseball, and he made sure the season never passed him by either because he'd watch all day on TV as well or share in weekly catch-up conversations with his sister Aunt Earlene.

Dad loved traveling every year, even several times a year to visit his family and friends back home in Mississippi. That father of ours was so hilarious, he'd have our sides burning from laughter. Then have you put him out the house the next moment for being too extra. He was so tender hearted, he'd cry just thinking about a person past or something you said, yet he was stern and a strong protector. Don't get it twisted, those hands were a force to be reckoned with. Being around him was never a dull moment. He loved being around us or talking to one or all of us throughout the week and especially on birthdays. Weekends at the house, having a ball reminiscing and laughing, eating, and listening to the Blues. Little Bluebird hides in my head now! Early mornings he'd call one of us and thank God he woke up with a bone in his back or if we'd ask how he was feeling today, he'd say, with his hands, don't you feel with your hands too. If someone was crying, he'd break out and ask, what-Cho black face crying for. We can't forget daddy always asking us to pick up something off the floor then he'd pinch us so hard we'd scream or jump on him. Oh my God, just off the wall funny everyday. Our family tree previously lost some of its branches yet we're so grateful our dad had a chance to show love and appreciate every individual while they lived, from his oldest daughter, Belinda Gale Ellis, his parents George Sr. and Erma Green Ellis, his brothers, Huliet Ellis, Fred Ellis and Ben Green. His sisters Geneva Robinson and Louise Gathright.

On July 14, 2023@, 7:00 A.M. was the day our reality changed. For 3 1/2 months our dad went through countless, tests, procedures, surgeries, therapy, and numerous hours of weaning.

He was so strong and brave even the doctors and nurses were amazed at his fight. Even with a side tear in his eyes, his grip was still tight. For 1 1/2 months he was treated with the favor of God by the nurses in the ICU ward at Sinai Grace Hospital and afterwards for his continued treatment he spent another 1 1/2 months at Select Specialty Hospital where the treatment was also nothing less than we would allow. The case managers keep us well informed, and they felt everything we felt through this process.

As his health began to decline faster and more aggressively and attending numerous meetings with case managers and doctors, my brother and I decided that our dad's dignity was greater than our selfishness. He was taken to Accent Hospice and Palliative Care on October 10, 2023, and released by God on October 30, 2023, the day after his only sons 50th Birthday.

Cherished Memories to live on in the hearts of his loving daughter, Gwendolyn W. Ellis, his son, Gregory O'Neil Ellis, 2 sisters, Earlene Ellis, Pope, MS, Tommie Ruth Ellis, Chicago IL, 1 brother, CW Ellis, Senatobia, MS 6 grandchildren, Kierra Latrice Ellis, Gregory O'Neil Ellis Jr., Jalysha Larsha Maddon, Dene Zhia Arielle Futch, Diamond Smith, Gerrard Omar Ellis and I great-granddaughter that pulled his heart strings in every way possible, that everyone else became obsolete. In his eyes, she could do no wrong and she is her, Za'Ryiah Kamaria Conley. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. Dad had 3 good ole boys that he loved like brothers. Clemmie Pugh, Sonny Jones and Fred Hamilton. We will never forget his forever True Friend, his everyday-all day, no matter what or whom, she was-his-till the wheels fall off, his always locked in gal, our mom Helen T.