Ellis E. Baylor

Ellis Emil Baylor, Jr. was born to Mary Francis Baylor and the late Ellis Emil Baylor Sr. in Baltimore, Maryland on December 22, 1963. He passed away on May 22, 2003 from complications related to Sickle Cell Anemia, a sickness that he endured from birth.His life spanned 39 years and 5 months. Even when you consider that was 14,455 days, it still seems far too short for those of us who love him and will miss him. Yet, we know that all of our days on the Earth are numbered.Ellis was educated in his hometown. He attended Henry Highland Garnett Elementary, Pimlico Middle School, Forest Park High, and Morgan State University (MSU). It was at Pimlico that he began seriously playing the Drums in the school band. His interest in drumming began as early as age 4. His love for making music and his skill as a musician continued to develop throughout his college years while he was in the marching band and the MSU Band Fraternity.As a young man at Southern Baptist Church, Ellis recognized his need for a Savior. He confessed Jesus Christ as his Savior as he heard and believed the word of truth about how God sent his Son Jesus to give everlasting life to anyone who would believe in Him.For much of Ellis adult life he lived and worked in either New York City or Los Angeles. He met and married Mina Close, whom he loved dearly. They spent several years in LA before returning to make their home in Baltimore. Wherever he lived, his musical pursuits persisted. Two of the most noteworthy local bands to which he belonged were Jah Works and Fitehouse. As a current member of Fitehouse, he was campaigning with the other band members to have their song “Baltimore” instituted as the Anthem of Baltimore.Ellis was very likeable. He had just the right mix of gentleness, kindness, compassion and generosity. Considering his physical struggle with a lifelong sickness, he could have been very bitter, but his personal difficulties just made him more sensitive to others. Those of us who were privileged to share in his life are grateful for the special memories and fun times that we shared with him.In addition to his wife Mina and his Mom Mary, he is survived by his siblings: Margaret, Charlene, Donald, Mona, Desiree, Carl, Darrell and David; his siblings spouses, Tyrone, Debbie, Milton, Donald, and Quetta; an uncle, Charles Lewis Jr.; aunts, Roberta Baylor and Ruth Crawley; great uncles, Roland Lewis, Rossie Lewis and Irvin Lewis Sr.; great aunts, Charlotte Baylor, Mildred Lewis, and Marie Lewis and a host of other relatives including nieces, nephews and cousins.

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Ellis E. Baylor

December 22, 1963 - May 22, 2003