[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 54 (Monday, March 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E306-E307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN MEMORY OF PASTOR ROLESTA BERNICE BODDIE ELLIS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 28, 2022

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
an inspiring woman, loving wife, devoted mother, and woman of God, 
Pastor Rolesta B. Ellis. Sadly, Pastor Ellis transitioned from labor to 
reward on Monday, March 7, 2022, at the age of 89. Pastor Ellis lay in 
Honor at her beloved church, Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle of Faith, 
on Thursday, March 10, 2022, and a homegoing service, celebrating her 
life was held on Friday, March 11, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral 
of Prayer Church of God in Christ in Columbus, Georgia.
  Pastor Rolesta Bernice Boddie Ellis was born in Rocky Mount, North 
Carolina on December 3, 1932, as the daughter of the late Mr. Octavis 
Boddie and Mrs. Julia Scott Vines as well the late Fred Vines.
  Pastor Ellis met the love of her life, Master Sergeant Clarence 
Ellis, Sr., USA, Retired, her first year in high school, and the two 
married in 1951. For over 30 years, she was a dedicated military spouse 
who traveled extensively with her husband in the continental United 
States and abroad to Germany and France.
  In addition to being a devoted spouse, Pastor Ellis was also a true 
Woman of Faith. Her commitment as a believer and servant of her Lord 
and Savior, Jesus Christ, began at the age of 11 and continued through 
every stage of her life. She maintained lifelong memberships with two 
congregations, Parks Chapel in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and The 
Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle in Richmond, Virginia, throughout her 
life. Once Pastor Ellis answered the call to minister to God's people, 
she established the Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle of Faith in 
Columbus, Georgia, where she served as Pastor until she departed from 
this realm. She was also a founding member of the Interdenominational 
Ministerial Alliance.
  Mother Teresa once said that ``At the end of life we will not be 
judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have 
made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by whether 
``. . . when I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, when I was 
naked, you clothed me, and whether, when I was homeless, you took me 
in.'' Pastor Rolesta B. Ellis lived her life to help other people. 
Because of her love for Jesus Christ and her service to the least of 
these, the world is indeed a better place.
  On a personal note, Pastor Ellis was a special friend to me and 
encouraged me throughout my career as an attorney, state legislator, 
and Member of Congress. I will always value the wise counsel and sage 
advice she shared with me over the years. She did not tell me just what 
she thought I wanted to hear, but what she felt I needed to hear. My 
life was enriched because she touched me through her prayers and 
affirmations.
  Pastor Ellis accomplished much in her life, but none of it would have 
been possible without the Grace of God and the love and support of her 
family including her late husband of 66 and a half years, Clarence, 
Sr.; and her children, Clarence, Jr., Rolesta, Mario, and

[[Page E307]]

Shelia. She will be greatly missed by her family, her congregation, her 
community, and all those whose lives she touched.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the more than 730,000 people 
of the Second Congressional District of Georgia, in paying tribute to 
Pastor Rolesta B. Ellis for her lifetime of service to her God, her 
nation, and humankind. We extend our deepest condolences to Pastor 
Ellis' family during this difficult time of bereavement. We pray that 
they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy 
Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

                          ____________________