Celebrating the Legacy of Edwin Lee Ellis

Edwin Lee Ellis, a resident of Suffolk, VA passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2021, after fighting a courageous battle with a lengthy illness.  He transitioned peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones.

Edwin, who was born to John D. Ellis, Sr. and Clara Milbourne Ellis, was the second oldest of six children.  He attended the public schools of Norfolk, VA, and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School.  After graduation, he matriculated at Virginia State College (now University).  While attending Virginia State, he met and married Mabel Lowry from Richmond, VA (deceased). From this union his 3 daughters were born: Caronne Anita, Kaye Frances, and Antoinette Edwina (deceased).  Edwin completed his studies at Norfolk State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education. While attending Norfolk State, he participated as a student teacher in a pilot program which took him to New Canaan, Connecticut for a year.  He graduated from Norfolk  State with honors.   Edwin Furthered his studies at Old Dominion University, earning a Master of Science degree in Industrial Education.  He taught in the public schools of Norfolk, and VA Beach, VA. While working in Norfolk, he became president of the Norfolk Chapter of the National Education Association.  After a number of years of teaching woodworking at Booker T. Washington High School, Edwin worked with the Portsmouth Education Association.  His career expanded further to Virginia Beach, VA, where he taught numerous years at Independence Middle School as  a woodworking Instructor.  He also worked as a long - term substitute teacher at Great Neck Middle School in VA Beach just before retiring from teaching.

During Edwin's childhood years, he was very active in the neighborhood.  He joined First Calvary Chapel Baptist Church in Norfolk during the late 1940's. He participated in the Junior Choir, Junior Missionaries, Sunday school, and other church activities.  Edwin also sang in a quartet with his older brother, John; his sister, Maryland; and his father, John Sr. The quartet, called "The Ellis Four", was a very popular group in the Tidewater area. Edwin continued singing in his adult years, experiencing the pleasure of being a soloist numerous times as he sang in the choir at Fourth Baptist Church in Richmond, where he lived at that time.  Edwin continued sharing his beautiful tenor singing voice for many years, until his health prevented him from doing so.

In Edwin's early adult life, he was very active in church. After moving to Portsmouth, he sang in the choir at New Testament Church, and became a deacon and a Sunday school teacher.  He was also a trustee at New Testament.

Edwin's civic activities as a Portsmouth resident included being an active member of the NAACP, president of the PAC (Political Action Committee), and running for a position on the Portsmouth City Council.  He did not win the election, but his opinions on the  affairs of the city were heard and respected.

Edwin moved back to Norfolk during the late 1980' s  and rejoined his former church ( n ow Woodland Avenue Baptist Church).  He married June James a native of Norfolk, and from that union became the father of  Brittaney Lee James.  Edwin again became active in the church.  He sang in the choir, became a deacon (later, chairman of the deacon board), a Sunday school/Bible school teacher, and the church bus driver, providing rides for members to church services and other activities. Edwin also worked in the kitchen of the church, providing meals between services, and meals to the sick and shut- i n.  After serving many years on the Deacon Board, Edwin retired from his position as deacon and was bestowed the honor of being  "Deacon Emeritus". A day was set aside by the Pastor, Rev. Marcus Jennings, to honor Edwin each year for the untiring and unlimited service, wisdom and commitment he gave to the church.

Edwin was predeceased by his parents, John D. and Clara Ellis; his wife, June, and his   brother John Jr.

He is survived by his daughters Caronne Sease (Kevin) of Norfolk, VA; Kaye Jones (James) of Charlotte, NC;  Brittaney  Slaughter (Samuel) of Suffolk, VA; and Tiffaney James of      Norfolk, VA He is also survived by his siblings Maryland Smith (John) of Chesapeake, VA; Jenette Sapp (Ulysses) of Portsmouth, VA;  Jean Keeling (Kenneth), of Pittsburgh, PA; Charles Ellis (Barbara), of Lawton, OK; and Sisters - in - Law, Jessie Ellis, of Hampton, VA; Beverly  Anne Harrell of VA Beach, VA and Kimberley Lynne Scruggs of Murfreesboro, TN

Edwin is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Angel Sease, of Ahoskie, NC; Regina Lewis (Jacob) of Virginia Beach, VA; Charles Edwards III (Carla) of Washington, DC; Christine Edwards of Charlotte, NC; Ethan James of VA Beach, VA; Evan Jayla James, of Norfolk, VA; Cecilia, Ava, Samuel, and James Slaughter of Suffolk, VA, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Edwin will always be remembered for his wisdom, his willingness to aid others, and his commitment to his family, his church, and his civic responsibilities. He will be sorely missed by his family, church family, and his friends. Edwin has written a book, "This Is What Ed Says . . ." (2021 Edition). It will be released by the p ublishers soon.