In Memory of Pastor Rolesta Bernice Boddie Ellis

Floor Speech

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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an inspiring woman, loving wife, devoted mother, and woman of God, Pastor Rolesta B. Ellis. Sadly, Pastor Ellis transitioned from labor to reward on Monday, March 7, 2022, at the age of 89. Pastor Ellis lay in Honor at her beloved church, Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle of Faith, on Thursday, March 10, 2022, and a homegoing service, celebrating her life was held on Friday, March 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Prayer Church of God in Christ in Columbus, Georgia.

Pastor Rolesta Bernice Boddie Ellis was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on December 3, 1932, as the daughter of the late Mr. Octavis Boddie and Mrs. Julia Scott Vines as well the late Fred Vines.

Pastor Ellis met the love of her life, Master Sergeant Clarence Ellis, Sr., USA, Retired, her first year in high school, and the two married in 1951. For over 30 years, she was a dedicated military spouse who traveled extensively with her husband in the continental United States and abroad to Germany and France.

In addition to being a devoted spouse, Pastor Ellis was also a true Woman of Faith. Her commitment as a believer and servant of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, began at the age of 11 and continued through every stage of her life. She maintained lifelong memberships with two congregations, Parks Chapel in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and The Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle in Richmond, Virginia, throughout her life. Once Pastor Ellis answered the call to minister to God's people, she established the Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle of Faith in Columbus, Georgia, where she served as Pastor until she departed from this realm. She was also a founding member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance.

Mother Teresa once said that ``At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by whether ``. . . when I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, when I was naked, you clothed me, and whether, when I was homeless, you took me in.'' Pastor Rolesta B. Ellis lived her life to help other people. Because of her love for Jesus Christ and her service to the least of these, the world is indeed a better place.

On a personal note, Pastor Ellis was a special friend to me and encouraged me throughout my career as an attorney, state legislator, and Member of Congress. I will always value the wise counsel and sage advice she shared with me over the years. She did not tell me just what she thought I wanted to hear, but what she felt I needed to hear. My life was enriched because she touched me through her prayers and affirmations.

Pastor Ellis accomplished much in her life, but none of it would have been possible without the Grace of God and the love and support of her family including her late husband of 66 and a half years, Clarence, Sr.; and her children, Clarence, Jr., Rolesta, Mario, and Shelia. She will be greatly missed by her family, her congregation, her community, and all those whose lives she touched.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the more than 730,000 people of the Second Congressional District of Georgia, in paying tribute to Pastor Rolesta B. Ellis for her lifetime of service to her God, her nation, and humankind. We extend our deepest condolences to Pastor Ellis' family during this difficult time of bereavement. We pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

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