Jessie Arlene Ellis

Jessie Arlene (Terry) ELLIS was called home from this veil of tears to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
Jessie was born on July 31, 1934 in Boyd Co., KY. She was the first born of 10 children to the late Cecil and Minnie (Sparks) Terry. Jessie was 14 when she declared her faith in Jesus and has kept that faith and it has grown to the end. Jessie quite school because she had to go to work in 1951 to help her father to support the family. Then on 2 June, 1953, Jessie married Lawrence Robert “Bob” ELLIS, from that union was issued 6 children.
Jessie was always helping her large family even when she was raising her own large family. She was always changing diapers, doing laundry, cleaning, cooking and had other family members over to feed at supper time, almost nightly. The house was always full. She and Bob took in several of her siblings at different times to get them thru high school.
Prayers by the bedside were said nightly with her children and the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments were taught in the home. Then in 1983, the Lord called Bob home. Jessie continued to help the family by helping to raise grandchildren. Of which one of those precious little ones was Courtney Margaret THOMAS, whom the Lord called home in 1995. Jessie also helped to care for ill neighbors and for both her ill parents. She also worked from time to time outside the home when it was needed, after her kids were grown and then after some of the grandchildren were able to drive. She helped out with several great grandchildren as well. She knew her purpose in life was to love and care for the family God gave her. She sat a great example of that!
Besides her parents and beloved grandchild she was preceded in death by a brother, Cecil Edward Terry, and a brother in law, Ray Wellman and a daughter in law, Tammy Hall Ellis.
Jessie was the mother to “2 girls, 2 boys, then 2 more girls” she would proudly tell everyone, The “ELLIS half dozen”, as her children were called and Jessie prided her-self on her own large family who survives her: Nellis (Rick) HALLER, of Ashland, KY.; Cheryl (Doug) RICHARDS, of Fl.; Bobby (Sandy) ELLIS and Tony (Vicki) ELLIS all of Boyd Co., KY.; Lydia (Greg) CRAWFORD of FL; And Julia (Steve) WILSON of Russell, KY. And 19 grandchildren and 36 Great Grandchildren, the youngest being named after Jessie.
Also left to mourn their sister is Phyllis Hale and a brother William (Grace) Terry all of Columbus, OH.; A brother Danny (Judy) Terry; a sister in law Donna Terry; and sisters Cecilia (Charles) Stout, Jackie (Bob) Myers, all of Ashland, KY. ; A sister Hazel Wellman of Catlettsburg, KY. ;
Sisters, Brenda (Emmerson JR) Lewis and Jennifer (Ernie) Blevins all of Grayson, KY. She also is survived by a sister in law, Mary Ellis McDonald of Lexington, KY.; A brother in law, Jerry Ellis of Ashland, KY and a Sister in law, Debbie Ernst of CA., one Aunt, Edith Sparks White of Boyd Co., KY., and a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews and cousins.
Jessie was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and that is where the service of “the celebration of her faithful life” will be held on Thursday, February 14, 2019. At 11:00 am. with her Pastor, Rev. Mark A. Kloha officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Burial Park. Pallbearers will be grandsons and great grandsons; Tim Davidson, Chris Calulot, Richie Hinkle, Shane Thomas, Derrick Suttles, Brent Wilson, Darryl Williams, Nathaniel Davidson, Noah Davidson, T. R. Nolen and Makai Calulot.
There will be a Visitation at Steen Funeral home on 13th street on Wednesday February 13, 2019 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
In memory of Jessie, you may make a contribution to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 1320 Bath Ave. Ashland, KY. 41101. Or Hospice Care Center 2330 Pollard Rd. Ashland, Ky. 41101.
To share a remembrance of Jessie or to express a condolence to her family, please visit: www.steenfuneralhome.com.

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