“It’s peculiar how a saint goes home,” said the Rev. Ronald Bobo Sr., pastor of Westside Missionary Baptist Church. “You are saddened on one end and rejoicing on the other – because you know where they’re going.”
As St. Louis mourned the loss of Bishop Willie J. Ellis Jr. at New Northside Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, a simultaneous epic celebration was underway that served as a testament to the lasting legacy he left among the many lives he touched.
Twenty-plus faith leaders, a handful of civic leaders, and hundreds of family, friends and church servants stood in the pulpit to offer life reflections, condolences and comfort. It was as if the entire region came together to say “farewell,” “thank you” and “amen” for nearly 50 years of service as pastor at New Northside.
“It was a peaceful transition,” the Rev. Andrew Latchinson said before ministering through song. “When the spirit came, I could hear him say – like he always did – ‘Let the church say amen.’”
Ellis passed away On Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the age of 74 after a long illness.
The homegoing service featured more than 30 presentations, several songs and at least two praise breaks. Each in its own way soothed the souls that cried out – the widow First Lady Beverly Ellis, in particular – and provided a reminder of the tireless service Ellis rendered to the church and community.
Long before the service began, Ellis’ impact was apparent within the walls where he used his calling to the ministry as a catalyst for change.
The service was set to begin at 5 p.m. But by 3:30, there were no seats to be had. The main level of the sanctuary, the balcony and a basement overflow area sat packed with people waiting patiently to pay their respects.
His homegoing started with a unique personal touch – a processional by the New Northside Drumline, a group Ellis founded more than 15 years ago.
Hours later, as the clock crept towards 11 p.m., guests and members of New Northside remained faithfully at capacity until the last “amen” was delivered.
‘Powerful force for positive change’
“Bishop Ellis was a powerful force for positive change in this community,” said U.S. Rep Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO).
“And as the shepherd of this historic congregation, his inspired leadership raised the faith family to heights that no one could have imagined when he assumed this pulpit in 1964. Back then New Northside was a struggling small church. But he was a guiding light to this congregation and this community.”
The congressman got personal.
“For my family, his passing was a very personal loss. You see Bishop Ellis was at my father’s side at the very beginning of his political career,” Clay said of his father, retired Congressman Bill Clay, who was unable to attend the service himself.
“When others told my father there was no way he could win, Bishop Ellis told him, ‘Keep on keeping on.’ His impact on the city, the state and the region will live forever.”
(Clay’s eulogy will be printed in full in next week’s Religion column.)
Congressman Clay was one of many who displayed the strikingly intimate relationships that were forged between Ellis and those who were in his presence. Each of them were touched in a special way. In his work and ministry, Ellis took the time to get to know and feed their spirits in a way that was specific and individually sacred.
“He lifted us up and gave us inspiration,” said former U.S. Senator Jean Carnahan. “He gave us inspirational leadership. When my husband (Mel Carnahan) was governor, he loved to talk with the bishop because they both loved to think impossible thoughts.”
Senator Carnahan remembered the acts of kindness and prayers offered by Ellis and several other African-American pastors from the St. Louis area when her family received word that then Gov. Mel Carnahan and their son Randy lost their lives in a plane crash in 2000.
“They lifted me up, and I believe to this day that’s what got me through,” Carnahan said. “Brother Ellis’ work on earth is done, but his life has just begun.”
Many of those same ministers were among the dozens of faith leaders who came to mourn with Ellis’ wife, family, friends and parishioners.
The Rev. B.T. Rice officiated. At one point, he offered a roll call of a veritable “who’s who” among faith and community to share words: Rev. Donald Hunter (New Sunny Mount Baptist Church), Rev. F. James Clark (Shalom Church, City of Peace), Rev. Michal Jones (Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church), Bishop R.J. Ward (Kennerly Temple COGIC), Bishop Wooten (Williams Temple COGIC), Bishop Alphonso Scott (Lively Stone Church of God).
“He definitely left his mark on St. Louis,” Bishop Ward said. “But the best thing I read about him in the program is that he accepted Jesus.”
The admiration for Ellis was shared by all.
“I’ve been a pastor for 39 years at eight churches and three regions of the country,” said eulogist Rev. Dr. Donald McNeal, pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church. “And I’m just amazed at a black man with a black church for that long.”
Ellis had a special connection with Hopewell because of his service to the church as Minister of Music under the pastoral guidance of Rev. W.S. Jones. His connection with the church spanned more than 50 years – even as he led his own flock at New Northside.
“You are going to endure grief, you can’t intellectualize it – you are going to have to stand it,” McNeal said.
“When you endure it, you begin to forget about what you lost and think about what was gained. Bishop had been sick for two years – with all of the surgeries and hospital visits. To leave him here so you could be happy is selfish. And though we suffer, it’s time to say thank you.”
