Celebration of Life for J Ellis

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend departed this life to his Heavenly home on Friday, December 3, 2021, in Hampton, VA.

Jerry Bernard Ellis

was born October 23, 1948, to the late Horace Ellis and Catherine Pierce Ellis Watson. Jerry was the second oldest of thirteen children. He was raised in Carsley, VA. Jerry accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age at Jerusalem Baptist Church in Carsley, VA. Jerry was a 1967 graduate of Luther Porter-Jackson High School in Dendron, Va. While attending high school, he was a member of the basketball and baseball team. After high school, Jerry began work at Newport News Shipbuilding as an Electrician until he was drafted to serve in the United States Army in 1969. While in the army, Jerry served in the Vietnam War where he earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. A Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who are wounded by the enemy in the performance of military duty. The Bronze Star is awarded to a soldier who performs an action that shows bravery and courage in fighting the enemy and saving a wounded soldier.

After two years of service, Jerry used the GI Bill to attend Norfolk State College where he graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Technology. While in college, Jerry worked in home improvement and construction with

his beloved uncle, the late Rev. Allen Pierce of Pierce & Pierce Construction.

While in college, Jerry also worked as an intern at the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station. After graduation from college, Jerry was offered full-time employment with the Weapons Station. He retired from the Weapons Station in 2009 after 36 years of combined military and civilian service. After retirement from Yorktown, he worked as a government contractor for ManTech Corporation, retiring from there in 2019.

In April 1973, Jerry married his high school sweetheart Linda Langhorne.

They were blessed with two children, Jermaine Ellis, and Lynette Ellis.

After moving to Hampton, Va., Jerry later joined Gethsemane Baptist Church where he was a devoted member and leader. He served as Trustee (former chair), and leader of the Media Ministry. He also served part-time as a Parking Lot Security attendant for the church on weekdays.

You could find Jerry almost every day serving and giving of his time at Gethsemane. Jerry had a heart for helping friends and family and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Jerry loved the outdoors, spending time gardening, fishing, and hunting with friends and family of the Dendron Hunt Club, of which he was a founding member. Jerry also loved bowling in a league with his friends and their team “The Moonshiners”.

Jerry enjoyed frying fish at gatherings for family and friends. He enjoyed watching westerns and sporting events. His favorite sports teams were The LA Dodgers, LA Lakers, and The Washington Football team.

Jerry’s legacy will live on in the cherished memories of his high school sweetheart and devoted wife of 48 years, Linda Langhorne Ellis; son, Jermaine (Nicole) Ellis of Hampton, VA; daughter Lynette Ellis of Harrisonburg, VA; three grandchildren, Tiyana Carter, Jayden Ellis & Nadia Ellis. Twelve siblings: James R. (Jeannette) Ellis, Janet B. (Fred) Moore, Jonathan L. “Jody” (Stephanie) Ellis, Sr., Jarvis (Linda B.) Ellis Sr., Jennifer R. (Wilton) Gore, Justin (Evelyn) Ellis, Julia M. Ellis, Joseph M. (Wanda) Ellis, Jeanelle D. (Herbert) Stith, Joyce D. Ellis, Johnnie M. (Ann) Ellis, and Judy L. (Kent) Simmons. Two step-siblings: Terry J. Watson and Pernell (Banessa) Watson Jr. Eight siblings-in-law: Mildred Johnson, Geneva Langhorne, Roy (Lydia) Langhorne, Geneva Beckett, Claudette Eley, Garland Langhorne Sr., Audrey (Louis) Byrd, and Ernest (Michelle) Langhorne. Two aunts: Marie Pierce and Emma Clayton.

Six Godchildren: Jonathan Ellis Jr., Joanna Ellis, Ida Langhorne, Garland (Chandra) Langhorne Jr., Nicholas Langhorne, and Ravon Danielson, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.