REVEREND DOCTOR MICHAEL EDWARD ELLIS

Reverend Doctor Michael E. Ellis is a native of Salisbury, North Carolina, and the son of the late Mrs. Gwendolyn Turner Ellis and the late George Henry Ellis, also of Salisbury. Dr. Ellis graduated from Salisbury High School in 1972 and Livingstone College in 1976 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology. In 1979 he received his Master of Divinity degree from Hood Theological Seminary. He further continued his trilogy of degrees by graduating from Drew University – The Theological School – in Madison, N.J. in 1987 with the Doctor of Ministry degree. He is also a graduate from the Naval School and Training for Chaplains in Newport, Rhode Island.

As an ordained Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church he pastored churches in the Western North Carolina Conference under the late Bishop William Milton Smith, such as Liberty Mission Church1972-74; Siloam Church Statesville, 1974- 75, Clement Memorial, Charlotte, 1975-76; St. John, Mocksville 1976-79.

In 1979 upon completion of his seminary degree he was transferred to the Western New York Conference under the late Bishop Herbert Bell Shaw and pastored Durham Memorial, Buffalo from 1979-81. He later transferred to the Tennessee Conference under the late Bishop Clinton R. Coleman and pastored First A.M.E. Zion Church, Knoxville, TN from 1981-1992.

Bishop George W.C. Walker, Sr., needed a person to take the leadership of the historic Columbus Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church, Boston, MA and transferred Dr. Ellis to Boston where he served as Senior Pastor from 1992-2006. As a member of the New England Conference, Dr. Ellis served in many capacities: Chair of Conference studies, member of the Holy Orders Committee, Finance Committee, Camp Barber, Conference Treasurer, member of the Board of Directors of Harriet Tubman Home, Inc.

While in Boston, Dr. Ellis served as an Adjunct professor of Christian Social Ethics at Boston University school of Theology. He also had the distinction of being guest preacher for the annual Martin Luther King Day held in Marsh Chapel; guest Preacher for the Preaching Forum at Boston University also held at Marsh Chapel.

Dr. Ellis has served as a contributor to the Quarterly Review of the A.M.E. Zion Church; Missionary Seer (December 2006, December 2007 & January 2008 edition) and was honored as the Pastor of the Year for 2003 Boston District; Father of the Year 2003 by the Pastor’s Aid Board of Columbus Avenue.

Currently, Dr. Ellis serves as one of the delegates to the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches of Christ USA and also represents the A.M.E. Zion Church on the National Councils Interfaith Relations Commission. He has served as a delegate to the General Conference since 1980. He was a member of The Board of Trustees Emeritus of Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC. He was inducted into the 1885 society at Hood Seminary; he received the distinguish alumni award, and was also inducted into the Hall of Fame at Livingstone College. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Dr. Ellis is the retired chairman of th Religious/Liberal Studies Department and a tenured Associate Professor of Religion. He is the author of a book, “A Royal Pulpit: Fifty years of preaching in the classical tradition”.

He was serving as the Presiding Elder of the Greensboro District – West Central North Carolina Conference, A.M.E. Zion Church- Piedmont Episcopal District where he serves on the admissions board; conference studies, and chair of the Holy Orders committee.

He leaves to cherish great memories his wife of 33 years Renee’, son, Michael Edward, II, and daughter, Zoya Orianna, granddaughter, Mckenzie, siblings, Arthur Turner (Joyce), Austin,TX, Calvin Turner, Salisbury, NC, George C. Ellis, Statesville, NC, Gwendolyn Ellis-Hall (Renwick),Charlotte, NC, Wayne R. Ellis, Charleston, SC, Brenda Chalk (Michael), Salisbury, NC. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, colleagues, and the Greensboro District, Devoted Administrative Assistant Dr. Dorothy
K. Colson, Dear friends Rev. Dr. Joel D. and Rev. Ruby D. Miles.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, December 5, 2024 12pm Trinity AME Zion Church 631 East Florida Street Greensboro, North Carolina. Visitation 11am.

Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park 3600 North O'Henry Boulevard Greensboro, North Carolina.