Decatur, Alabama
Decatur
Funeral for Tonia Rodgers Ellis, 44, of Decatur will be today, Nov. 22, 2009, at 3 p.m. at Decatur Presbyterian Church with Pastor J. Thomas Lee Sr. officiating and Roselawn Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery.
Mrs. Ellis, who died Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, was born Feb. 25, 1965, in Hueytown to Roy Rodgers and Sally Rodgers. She was a homemaker, teacher and loving mother and wife. She was preceded in death by her mother and beloved grandparents, Percy Ruby Dew and Wilmer Rodgers.
Survivors include her husband of 22 years, Emory Ellis; two sons, Earl Ellis and William Ellis; two daughters, Gabriella Ellis and Alexandra Ellis; her father; brother, Tommy Rodgers; and sister, Melissa Rodgers.
Pallbearers will be Russ Harrelson, Al Bracewell, Chip Walraven, Blake Temple, Greg Smith, George Godwin and Kent Quinn.
Honorary pallbearers will be Campus Outreach Brothers-In-Christ, Rob Bright, Bill Cunningham, Ken Foster, Jerry Beverly, Steve Sutherland, Steve Dabbs, Steve Singletary, Troy Anderson, Sam Sandusky and Lee Sexton.
The family requests memorials be made to Neighborhood Christian Center, Decatur.
This obituary was originally published in the Decatur Daily.
Emory and family,
Tonia was a "one of a kind" woman! Her sincere, sweet and kind heart will live on in those of us that knew her. Her life impacted and blessed all of us who had the priveledge of knowing her.
You are in my prayers.
In Christ,
Marji
December 21, 2009
Dear Emory and Family,
I have been so very sad to hear about your loss. I have looked up to Tonia since I first met her. I have many memories of Kristy and I having spend the night parties at your house, blaring Amy Grant songs and performing as Tonia praised our dancing abilities. God's light radiated from Tonia and I look forward to the day that I see her again.
Melissa Howard
December 16, 2009 | Atlanta, GA
Emory and Family,
Even though I have not spoken to Tonia in so many years, as her cousin, she was still very dear to me. My mom kept me updated on your family and I know how kind and loving she remained throughout the years. She was such a special person. My love and prayers go out to you all.
Tammy Burnette
December 03, 2009 | Hoover, AL
Ellis and Rodgers Families,
Our prayers along with many others will continue to go out to you during this time of mourning. I met Tonia shortly after becoming a Christian while a student athlete at Troy State University. And I can clearly remember first meeting Tonia during a Campus Outreach meeting. She was then as I will always remember her, a Christian woman who truly reflected the love of Christ in her everyday actions and dealings with others. My only regret is that I didn’t get to...
Sean Fitzwilliam
November 30, 2009 | Seoul, Korea
I am so sorry for the lost of your dear loved one. It's comforting to know that God cares for all of us and losing a loved one is something we cannot get used to. The Bible gives us hope that one day we can see our dear loved one again. On behalf of all mankind Jesus surrender his soul for many. John 15:13 says “No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul on behalf of his friends.” Truly I am sorry to hear of the loss of your dear loved one and I hope these few...
Joel
November 30, 2009
Emory, we are so sorry to hear about Tonia. We met her when our son Jack played ball with Earl (about 11 years ago). We will miss her beautiful smile and sweet personality, and the way she loved her children was so evident. Please allow God to comfort you with His presence and the peace of knowing that you will surely see her again. We are praying for you and the children.
Love in Christ-Jackie & Shawn Wallace
November 25, 2009
Emory, God used both of you guys to call me to Himself. I watched both of you closely as a unbeliever and God used you both to save me and give me a clear perspective of what marriage in Christ is about. Because Tonia is my sister in Christ, i can honestly say that I'm grieving with you, but at the same time, i can't fathom what grief you are experiencing right now. All that said, all I can really say is that I'm thankful for the obedience that both of you displayed before me and that I'm...
Chris Sharp
November 25, 2009 | Springville, AL
Emory, Earl, William, Gabi, & Allie,
Our hearts are heavy with you and for you. We loved your wonderful, Tonia, as if she were our own - she was such a loving woman that her heart was big enought for all of us! Like you, we will miss her ready smile, her kind heart, and her quick laugh. We don't grieve w/o hope though - God assures us that we will all be reunited with her again, sooner than we can believe. And we will spend eternity with her & Christ.
We love you all...
Glenn Fincher
November 23, 2009 | Decatur, AL
Emory,
I am so sorry for your loss. Ruth and I have you and your family in our prayers.
Mac and Ruth Crane
Mac Crane
November 23, 2009 | Decatur, AL
