Ellis E. Murphy

Early on May 15, 2017, God motioned a chariot of angels to Season’s Hospice for Ellis Erve Murphy to climb the stairway to heaven. With his own wings, he joined his Wife Barbara; Parents, Clem Ellis and Claudia Lee Murphy; Children Duane, Gary, Anthony, Renard, and Angela; and sister, Nora. Ellis received his education from Booker T. Washington Junior and Douglas High schools, Baltimore. As a teen (1948), he received an award for winning the 660 Yard Relay in the 115 Pound Class from the Bureau of Recreation Relay Team. An excellent skateboarder and roller skater, Ellis earned the nickname “Murf-the-Surf.” To his friends, he was simply Murf. On July 2, 1970, The J.S. Schoeneman Newsletter reads Ellis Win’s the President’s Cup in J.S. Bowling League “for his outstanding qualities of good sportsmanship and team spirit.” Ellis enjoyed bowling well into his senior years as was evident by his membership on the Guys and Dolls coed bowling league until it ended in 2013. As a young man, Ellis attended the Wayland Baptist Church (Monroe St.). Later, he rededicated himself to Christ and was baptized at Wayland where he became a faithful member. In February 2017, Ellis was recognized for his faithfulness to the church. Ellis met and married Delores Marshall (later divorcing). From their union six children were born Pamela, preceding their father in death are: Duane, Gary, Anthony, Renard, and Angela. Later Ellis met and married Barbara McGregor thereby uniting him with Wesley, Tanya, and Kimberly. Ellis was a family man, he actually had three families. Meet the Braxton’s, Melvin and Nicole. When the Braxton’s called, Ellis would drop everything but that was okay, they’d been friends since teenagers. Now don’t feel badly if your name isn’t listed, I bet you got either that Christmas or New Year’s call/text at the very least. For those who received a daily “I Love You” text just remember that “toot-toot” from the train whistle we loved to hate and we’ll never ride again. Ellis had a quiet and reserved, an almost boy like, spirit. He never got angry and he didn’t swear—at least not around his family. Speaking of which, he was truly a family man! He wholeheartedly loved his family! When family got together for anything, he was there and on time!!! If the activity began at 8 o’clock, he’d be there by 6:30. You’d never catch this guy late for anything—even kiddy parties! Ellis certainly had a way with words or lack thereof. He could easily let out a “howdy-doody” greeting or a “what you for to do” question when he wanted to know what you were doing at that time. If he couldn’t remember the name of something, he’d call it a “Do-hinky.” Heck, for that matter, if he couldn’t remember your name, you became “Do-hinky” when speaking about you-- it didn’t matter, you’d be expected to know what/who he was referring to. Ellis created nicknames for family members that only he could use exception this one--Stinky Duck (Pamela). He created Boy (Kevin), Boom-Boom (Nicole M.), Jaws (Chris), Spring (Ni’jhaya), Jack (Kevin D), and La-La (Leilani) to name a few. Ellis leaves a legacy of memories to: his daughter, Pamela Harris (Albert); grandsons: Duane, Tyrone and Devon; granddaughters: Nicole McDonald (Demetrick), Tamisha, Cherese, Chele’, LaKesha, Rochelle, Dazmen, and Destiny; nephews; D. Kevin and Kevin D.; nieces: Karen, Tiffany and Talia Etheridge and Nijhaya Jones; step-children: Kimberly Brooks (David), Tanya, and Wesley McGregor; step-grandchildren; Cameron and Lauryn, devoted companion Patricia Sears; Lifelong Friend Melvin Braxton ; a host of other relatives and a long list of friends.

Tributes

Ellis E. Murphy

February 25, 1934 - May 15, 2017