Bernice Ray Ellington

Bernice Ray Ellington, age 88, passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024, at the Jackson – Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, TN.  Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the Brownsville Funeral Home with Bro. Randy Kellough and Bro. Grover Westover officiating. Burial will follow at the Brownsville Memorial Gardens in Brownsville, TN.  The family will be receiving friends for a time of visitation on Monday Evening, January 22, 2024, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Brownsville Funeral Home, located at 107 S. Lafayette Avenue in Brownsville, TN. Bernice Ray Ellington was born in Haywood County on August 20, 1935.  His parents were Bernice Radford Ellington and Irene Privett Ellington.  He attended Dezern school and later attended Woodland school.  Ray was the oldest of his siblings Doyle, Geneva, Edward.  Throughout his lifetime he remained close to his siblings, making a point to call his siblings every day.  They would get together often, talk about their lives growing up and the admiration they had for their mother raising them alone after the passing of their father.  

Ray was known as always having an optimistic attitude.  When ask how he was doing, he’d say “on a scale 1 to 10, I’m about an 11” or at times he’d tell one of his church friends when ask how he was “I’m marvelous!”  In his last days in the hospital, he would always tell the nurses, staff, thank you when they’d leave his room and make mention that people don’t say thank you enough, appreciate what others do.  Throughout Ray’s life he had many jobs & business endeavors. Several years he was employed with Kleer Vu Plastics working in maintenance. Later having his own electrical and plumbing business and a recycling business in Jackson TN.  He enjoyed traveling and would always advise others when the opportunity came to go and see the world.  He was often thinking of places to eat as he and his Woodland Baptist church senior adults would plan their getaways on the church bus.

A few years ago, he and his best friend, Turk Warren opened The Fork Restaurant in the Woodland community. Ray wanted a place where the community could gather, visit, and enjoy good Southern food. It became so well-known that people would stand in line on Friday evenings for the fish night.

In 1964 Ray married Hilda Campbell, together they had five children, Gwen Ivey (Jackie), Diane Hooper (Terry), Ricky Ellington (Lorri), Mark Ellington (Kim), Rad Ellington (Libba).  Ray enjoyed close relations with his brother-in-law Robert Campbell and his wife Janette. After the passing of Robert, Ray & Hilda continued to enjoy many meals with Janette and all the Campbell family.

He leaves a legacy of 13 grandchildren, Hunter Hooper (Julie), Heather Hardister (Robert), Brooke Evans (Buddy), Robin Hood (Kimberly), Zach Ellington (Beverly), Jacob Ellington (Lauren), Evans Ellington (Rachel), Ford Ellington (Lauren), Tritt Ellington (Madison) Jordan Ellington, Jacklyn Morris (Dale), Dana Velotta (Jason) and Josh Ivey (Stephanie).  In addition to these, he had 20 great-grandchildren.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife Hilda Ellington, his parents, Bernice Radford Ellington and Irene Privett Ellington; three sisters, Geneva Ellington Littlejohn, Monice Price and Florence Marbury.  Pallbearers for the service are Robin Hood, Hunter Hooper, Jacob Ellington, Zach Ellington, Evans Ellington, Ford Ellington, and Tritt Ellington. Honorary pallbearers will be Troy Campbell and the Men's Sunday School Class of the Woodland Baptist Church.

The family has requested memorials be made to the Woodland Baptist Church, 885 Woodland Church Rd., Brownsville, TN 38012.

Ray was loved by all who knew him. It can be said of him: He was a good man. His was a life well-lived.