Reverend Jerry Mack Ellard Obituary (1943

Let Us Pause To Honor the Memory of Reverend Jerry Mack Ellard Reverend Jerry Ellard, age 77, of Florence, Indiana entered this life on July 17, 1943, in Paragould, Arkansas as the second son to Paul William and Lola Mae Ellard. One of three brothers born to a cotton farm sharecropper, the family left northeast Arkansas and in 1951 relocated to St. Louis, Missouri where Jerry attended school, became active in school vocal groups and met his future wife Carolyn whom he married on December 19, 1964. Jerry contracted polio at the tender age of two, which confined him to a leg brace for the remainder of his life. But even then, his patriotism and love of country compelled him to attempt enlistment in the Army during the Vietnam War, begging the recruiter to just let him do desk work or drive a Jeep. Jerry credited polio with setting him on the ministry path and he used his infirmity as an inspiration to help others find strength, grace, and humility in their own lives. Jerry had a passion for the Gospel. In 1977, he graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, and for the next 43 years pastored churches in St. Louis, Missouri, Mark, Iowa, Columbia, Missouri, Goshen, Indiana, Graniteville, Missouri, Alton, Illinois, Sarcoxie, Missouri, Erie, Kansas and, since 2016, the Ten Mile Baptist Church in Napoleon, Kentucky, until this September when he became too ill to continue. An excellent teacher and administrator, he also taught, worked, and ministered at churches in Jerseyville and Brighton, Illinois and Rising Sun, Indiana. Jerry enjoyed singing hymns and listening to the great old-time Southern Gospel groups. His favorite pastimes were spending days with his wife and best friend Carolyn, their grandchildren, and being a fatherly ear and shoulder to his sons' careers and families. He leaves his family and his congregation embraced with his encouraging love, the song of joy in his heart, his champion spirit and with the verse on his lips that he fought the good fight, he finished his course, he kept his faith, and he goes joyfully to his Savior. Jerry shares his last message to all reading these words that God is real, that God loves you more than you can possibly imagine, and God freely grants salvation to all who seek His face. Surrounded by his loving family, Jerry passed away quietly on December 23, 2020 at King's Daughters' Health in Madison, Indiana, and returned home to his Lord and Savior. A LOVING FAMILY He is survived by his wife Carolyn of 56 years, his son Kevin, his son Steven (Samuel), his son Richard (April), his son Robert (Donna), his brother Larry (Judy), his grandchildren Matthew (Jessica), Jeremy (Amanda), Meagan, Alec Jae, Adam, Alyssa, Justin, Allison, Emma, Abigail, Anna Marie, Kaelyn, Aaron and Krissa, his great-grandchildren Aria, Daelyn, Brandon, and Mollie, his cousins, several nieces and nephews, and the hundreds of church members he considered part of his family. He is preceded in death by his father Paul William Ellard, his mother Lola Mae Ellard, and his brother William Paul Ellard (Shirley). Rev. Ellard's Wishes The family has chosen at this time not to conduct a service until a later date. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to charity of donor's choice. Cards are available at the Morgan and Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover. Online condolences, remembrances, and memorials can be left at www.morgan-nay.com. Make An Online Memorial Donation To send a flower arrangement in memory of Reverend Jerry Mack Ellard, please click here to visit our sympathy store.