Earnest Zeller Obituary
Family-Placed Death Notice
ZELLER, Earnest EARNEST JEROME (JERRY) ZELLER The Venerable Doctor Earnest Jerome (Jerry) Zeller passed away on Friday, July 4, 2008 after a long illness. Dr. Zeller was a well-known educator, Episcopal priest, and writer. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1925. He earned his undergraduate degree and two Masters degrees from Emory University and a Ph.D. from Indiana University. Dr. Zeller was a retired full university professor, having served as a College and University Dean of Emory University; occasional chair of the divisions of Behavioral and Social Sciences and of Education at Mercer University, Atlanta; and most recently Vice President and Dean and Professor at Reinhardt College in Waleska. He was named a Danforth Associate for his excellence in teaching and was a Fulbright Scholar in Egypt. Dr. Zeller was ordained into the Episcopal priesthood in 1954 and served as rector, vicar, or assistant in parishes in the dioceses of Florida and Atlanta for 50 years. He was appointed Archdeacon for the Episcopal Church's Diocese of Atlanta in 1993. He was serving as Rector of Holy Family Episcopal Church in Jasper when he retired from the priesthood in 2003. Dr. Zeller published numerous poems, essays, and short stories and was-a charter member and past president of the Georgia State Poetry Society. He was a combat veteran of WWII and a retired reserve chaplain (Capt.) in the United States Army. Dr. Zeller is survived by his wife, Patricia Baker Zeller of Decatur; two daughters, Carol Gay Hall of Oakridge, Tennessee and Donna Sue Casey of Columbia, South Carolina; his son, Earnest Jerome, Jr. (Chip) of Dacula; two step-children, Warren Turner Jackson, III of Grapevine, Texas and Lore Ann Jackson Lee of Decatur; ten grandchildren; his brother, James John Zeller of Winterhaven, Florida; and one niece and two nephews. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 12 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church. The family will receive visitors at A.S. Turner & Sons on Friday, July 11 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center (175 Good Samaritan Drive, P.O. Box 579, Jasper, GA 30143), Emmaus House (1017 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta, GA 30315-1705 or www.emmaushouse.org), or the Jerry Zeller Ministerial Honoree Scholarship, Reinhardt College (7300 Reinhardt College Circle, Waleska, GA 30183-2981). A. S. Turner & Sons.
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Mary Willingham
July 14, 2008
Jerry was a friend and fellow parishioner at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church and a colleague for many years at Mercer University. We will surely miss his piercing mind, his boundless enthusiasm, and his great compassion. As another guest writing in this book said, Jerry is now immersed in the "great mysteries" he thought and taught so much about.
Cheri Davis
July 13, 2008
Dr. Zeller made a very large impact on my education as I had the privilege of having him as my professor at Dekalb Junior College in 1970 and later at Mercer University in Atlanta. I will never forget his classroom enthusiam and his love of learning.
What a wonderful person!
Linda Seebode
July 12, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Susan, Michael,Kimberly and Paul McGivern
July 11, 2008
Pat and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Father Jerry was such a wonderful man and taught our chidren so much about "What it meant to be part of a Holy Family" we are blessed to know both of you. You are in our prayers.
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Nat Harwell
July 10, 2008
Jerry was my younger brother's godfather, and it is with great joy that I remember serving as an acolyte in the little Church of the Redeemer in Greensboro, GA, back in the early 1960's when Jerry would come preach on occasion. One hot summer Sunday we had the doors propped open (un-air-conditioned 1960's) and a sparrow swooped in just in time for Jerry's sermon. Never missing a beat, he incorporated the bird's arrival into his homily - and in closing we sang "His Eye Is On The Sparrow." What a guy, what a wit, what a special man, Jerry Zeller was and will continue to be. The old 1928 Book of Common Prayer has a selection "for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear," and I'll include Jerry in my daily prayers in that regard from now on. My condolences to the family - but in reality - it's a celebration of joy in my heart every time I think on the name: Jerry Zeller. May God continue to bless him, his family, and all of us.
Laura Sorrells
July 9, 2008
Dear Pat,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and with all of Jerry's and your family and friends. Jerry's kindness, patience, wit, and steadfast friendship meant a lot to my mother and to me as well.
I ran across this today, from Rumi:
Imagine the time the particle you are
returns where it came from.
The family darling comes home. Wine,
without being contained in cups,
is handed around.
A red glint appears in a granite outcrop,
and suddenly the whole cliff turns to ruby.
Love,
Laura
Sharon and Allen Garrison
July 9, 2008
We think often of the time when Jerry Zeller lived on Harvard Rd. and was a dean at Emory. Our children were friends with Gay, Donna Sue and Chip. We now live in the "Zeller" house and memories of those days are all around us. May God bless all of Jerry's family in the days ahead and know that we are thinking of you.
Sara Fields
July 9, 2008
Chip, Jan, Emily and Cory, we are thinking of you and deeply saddened by your loss. Thinking of you all with love...
Bob and Lynne Glover
July 8, 2008
What a beautiful time it was together those few years at Holy Family. You and Pat touched our lives in that phase of our spiritual journey. Now you know more about about the great mysteries than we could ever discuss. May the path that has now been chosen be more filled with God's light than any of us left behind can imagine.
Edwina Sweet
July 8, 2008
Donna,
Words cannot express my deepest sorrow for you and your family during this time. I enjoyed so much talking with you about your Dad and I know your loss will be great. I pray that God will ease your pain. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lisa (Rice) Utsey
July 8, 2008
I grew up with Father Jerry and the EYC from St. Barts. My prayers and condolences are with you all. He will be greatly missed, but his impact will never go away.
Karen Gibson
July 8, 2008
I was greatly saddened to receive the news of Jerry's death. "Uncle Jerry", as I affectionately called him, My father and Uncle Jerry were very close friends with at Emory and as long as I can remember. I hold many fond memories of childhood visits at the Zeller's home in Atlanta. I personally treasured the bond we shared with your family as me and my siblings regarded Gay, Donna and Chip more as 'cousins' than friends. Although contact with the family has been slim the memories are alive to me.
Christy Garces
July 8, 2008
I will miss my Uncle Jerry very much....I will miss his stories about Timothy O'Flarity O'Toole...And the poems he sent for special occasions....The words of encouragement he always had for me when I was feeling down.....May the Lord Jesus Christ Who alone knows the depths of the sorrows of the broken hearted comfort all who mourn the death of Jerry Zeller
Carl Washington, MD
July 8, 2008
Dear Mrs. Zeller and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of Dr. Zeller's passing. I will never forget the courage and faith with which he battled his illness, and I am indeed a better person and physician having known him. All of our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Peggy L. Rice
July 8, 2008
Dear Pat, Gaye, Donna, and Chip,
My prayers are with you all. Jerry was dear to me and my family for many years at St. Barts. We hold you in our hearts. Love, Peggy Rice, Brett, Kim, Lisa, and Patricia.
Tony Gibson
July 8, 2008
I was greatly saddened to receive the news of Jerry's death. "Uncle Jerry", as I affectionately called him, was my Godfather as he and my father were very close friends at Emory. I hold many fond memories of childhood visits and overnighters at the Zeller's home in Atlanta. Uncle Jerry would often play, wrestle and pass the football to us in the back yard and I still remember the spirit of his enthusiastic smile and laughter. I personally treasured the bond we shared with your family as me and my siblings regarded Gay, Donna and Chip more as 'cousins' than friends. My condolences to you all, and to Pat whom I've never had the good fortune to meet, in your painful loss. It is great to see how influential and well-loved Uncle Jerry was - how many lives he touched! I will be with you in spirit on Saturday morning and will take that time to lift you up in prayer. God Bless each of you and your families.
Chub Armstrong
July 7, 2008
Pat I am so glad I had the privilege of knowing you and Jerry. You were both a blessing to me. My thought and prayers will be with you and the family.
Chip and Jan's Aunt Chub
Susan & George Justicz
July 7, 2008
Dearest Pat, How sad we both are to say farewell to Jerry. Every sermon inspired us and his presence warmed and helped our individual journey. Thank you friend for your gentle spirit,guidance and comfort on life's path.
Candy Chandler-Attanasio
July 7, 2008
Dear Pat and Family,
Mike and I will continue to pray for you during the days to come. Know that you are in our thoughts.
In Christ's love,
Linda & Tom Vickery
July 7, 2008
Blessed be, Jerry, your voice is singing along with many other great ones who have gone before. Working with you at Holy Family was such a memorable experience. Both of us treasure our time with you and Pat.
Pat, we love you.
Betsy and David Powell
July 7, 2008
Dear Pat,
David and I were so saddened to learn of Jerry's death. What a great man and great priest. He had a deep impact on both of us along our spiritual journeys during those years that we were regular "summer members" of Holy Family in Jasper. We will be forever grateful for the guidance and inspiration Jerry offered to each of us during that important time in our lives. David joins me in sending you our love and prayers and heart-felt condolences.
The Reverends Betsy and David Powell
Betty Miller
July 7, 2008
I am deeply sadden to learn of Dr. Zeller's death. He brought a giving spirit along with his wealth of knowledge to the faculty of Reinhardt College. My thoughts and prayers are extended to his family.
Betty Veal Miller, Faculty
Price School of Education
Reinhardt College
Steve and Shirley Humphrey
July 6, 2008
Pat,
Words are not enough to comfort, but please know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Jerry was indeed a fine man and we are much better for having known him
Bill Graves
July 6, 2008
I extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Jerry Zeller. I only regret that I did not get to spend more time conversing with him. He will be greatly missed.
Angie Kronenberg
July 6, 2008
Pat, Lore, Jim, and Maya -- We will miss Jerry dearly. His encouragement of me while Lore and I were roommates at Baylor will never be forgotten. We always enjoyed it when Pat and Jerry came to visit. That was the case when they would make the trek to Waco, and that was still the case many years later when they would visit us when we were all "grown up" and living in DC/Maryland. We will be holding on to our fond memories of Jerry's quick wit, kind words, and loving example.
All of our love,
Angie, Robert, Jenna & Wesley
Hal and Carol Johnson
July 6, 2008
Pat
It was a shock to see Jerry's Obits.
we were not aware that he had been Ill. Jerry was a wonderful and caring friend to us in a time we truly needed him. I am quite sure he made
an impact on all the lives he came in contact with. Thils World has lost a
great man.
Barbara McCrorey
July 6, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Alan Herrmann
July 6, 2008
My condolences and love to Pat, Chip, and the rest of Jerry's wonderful family. Thank you, Jerry, for all the ways you supported me and my family through the years that I have known you. I love you and will never forget you, Jerry.
Richard Valantasis
July 6, 2008
Richard Valantasis, Janet Carlson, Doug and Jennifer Bleyle, and all the people in the Monday Night Home Eucharist. We are blessed to have known Jerry, even for a short time.
Tom McWilliams
July 6, 2008
It was my distinct privelege to be Dr. Zeller's hospice nurse. He and his wife Pat are special people that I have only known for the past 6 months but it feels much longer! He enriched everyone with which he made contact. He will be sorely missed and although I'm saddened by no longer being able to see him, I'll need to contemplate the undoubtedly wonderful discussions I'll have with him that are yet to come!
The Rev. Anne Swiedler
July 6, 2008
Thanks, Jerry for your warmth and friendly spirit. I am glad to have met you and will be praying for the family.
Meg and Paul Sparwath
July 6, 2008
Pat,
Paul and I are so sorry to hear about Jerry's death. As you know, he was a wonderful person who had a positive impact on so many lives. And as "they" say, behind every great man is a great family. It seemed like he brought up his family in almost every conversation I had with him. He was so proud of all of you.
Just want you to know we are thinking about you.
doris and archer smith
July 6, 2008
Dear Pat and Gay and Donna and Chip and all the clan -
Jerry Zeller is memoralized in our hearts. We received from him great care when we most needed great care. His gift to our family will live on long after Archer and I reunite with him on the other side of the banquet table.
We pray for comfort for you who love him as family and for comfort for all who must say good-bye to a dear friend and colleague.
You are loved.
joan benson
July 6, 2008
Thanks, Jerry,for our time together and the 3 children we raised, You will be remembered by so many who knew and admired you. May you rest eternal in God's kingdom. Our prayers go out for Pat and the children. Joan Benson
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2773 North Decatur Road P.O. Box 4000, Decatur, GA 30031
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