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Celeste M. Ellis

04/21/1963 - 06/10/2024

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Obituary For Celeste M. Ellis

Celeste Marguerite Ellis
Sunrise: Sunday, April 21, 1963 | Sunset: Monday, June 10, 2024

Celeste was born on Sunday, April 21, 1963, at Brooklyn Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, to her late parents, Clarence Milton Ellis and Dorothy Lee Copeland Ellis; she was the middle child. She grew up in Brooklyn and Jamaica (Queens), New York, before relocating to Schenectady, New York, in the mid-1990s.

Celeste attended New York City Public Schools from KG to 9th grade. In 10th grade, she headed to Lexington, Mississippi, to attend the COGIC Saints Academy, where she was the drummer for the Choir. She graduated from Saints Academy in May 1981. One funny story is that while the choir sang during her High School graduation, her dad stood and
yelled, “That’s my middle baby on the drums!” again while the choir was singing. Attending Saints Academy was a blessing to Celeste; she forged friendships that lasted for years to come – to the point where many of them found her on social media – and they “picked up where they left off” for some time.

She was a faithful member of the Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, where the Pastor was the late Reverand Savalus Copeland I (her maternal grandfather); there, she played the drums and sang in the choir. She and her sisters later joined the Goodwill Church of God in Christ, where the Pastor was the late Supt—John L. Butler (her paternal uncle). As a member of Goodwill, she was a part of the Ministry of Music as the drummer, a “solid alto” in the choir and YPWW Teacher, and worked closely with the kitchen staff. She has taught many young men how to play the drums. After relocating to Schenectady, New York, she attended the Refreshing Spring Church of God in Christ as a “watch-care” member.

Celeste was a hard worker with a wide variety of skills. At different times, she was engaged as an Office Clerk in the John L. Butler ESQ Law Office in Brooklyn, NY, a U.S. Census Taker in 1990 and again in 2000 in both Brooklyn, NY, and Schenectady, NY,
and an Office & Administrative Assistant for the New York State Workers Compensation Board in Albany, NY. In a change from her mainly clerical duties, she was employed as a Repair Technician for Contech Cable Company at their Schenectady, NY facility. Her
love of music and attention to detail were instrumental to her success at Contech.

In addition to being a gifted drummer with a great singing voice, Celeste inherited a love for reading from her father. She kept up with Science and Current Events by faithfully reading the New York Daily News and the New York Post—for the Sports and Comics
sections only.

Since 2008, Celeste has battled with some serious health issues, although she never complained. In 2008, she suffered a massive heart attack, which she recovered from (with a smile). Since 2019, her health began to decline, but to the end, she never
complained.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Dorothy Ellis, and her oldest sister, Dorothea Ellis Tolbert.

She leaves to mourn her loss and cherish her memory: her sister, Beatrice Ellis Wells; her nephew, David S. Tolbert; her niece, Karen Y. Tolbert; and two brothers-in-law, Vergis Tolbert III and Ronald D. Wells. She also leaves to mourn four Aunts: Rev. Jeanette Evans Copeland, Mother Dolores Ellis Johnson, Elder Beatrice Ellis Walker, and Dr. Fay Ellis Butler; along with a host of cousins, “Saints” and friends.

Humbly Submitted as we submit to his WILL!
The Family

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26 Jun

Funeral Service

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Rhodes Funeral Homes - Newburgh 18 Lake St Newburgh, NY 12550 Get Directions »
26 Jun

Funeral Service

11:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Rhodes Funeral Homes - Newburgh 18 Lake St Newburgh, NY 12550 Get Directions »
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Condolences

  • 06/26/2024

  • 06/26/2024

    To Bea and Ron Know that I am praying with/and for the family( us) Celeste was the next to youngest neice. We texted frquently .. Her dry humor was refreshiing😀She knew politics .. that mean I was literally on top of things! A brilliant young lady.. a thinker and tho she never ran a revival(😀) she loved the Lord. Concerned with family news... I kept her up to date! I wondered why I had not heard from her about the latest news(34)! She was under the weather. Never complained... just took the Rx((😩) Im going to have to do my own thinking... As I thought about her .. I knew she " knew the way home" and decided to take a shortcut before she felt any more pain and discomfort!!😩 If you know the Lord... you will merely say " Good nite" we will see her in the morning!!😀 IHer status: Probably at the " New Members Banquet " without meds! 🎹🎼When the saints go marching in!!! Rest well with all of the Saints who are also surrounding the throne awaiting the arrival of the KING!! Remember you cant crown HIM til I get there!😀❣️ Good night Celeste...❣️❣️ Aunt Jeanette, Val and Kim❣️❣️❣️

  • 06/21/2024

    To the Ellis Family! I'm so sorry for the loss of your Family member. Know that Memories are what will always keep Celeste in your Hearts. God is FaithFul! Keeping you in Prayer during this very difficult time. The Blessing of the Lord be upon the entire Family ... Karin D. Winbush

  • 06/21/2024

    Celeste, the first time that we met, we just clicked. Thank you for your many years of friendship. I always got excited when Bea would tell me that you were coming down. Thanks for the memories. Rest easy angel.. Bea, praying for you and your entire family, that God will give you comfort during this very difficult time.

Tributes

  • Radiant Foliage Planter

    Radiant Foliage Planter was sent for Celeste M. Ellis - 06/25/2024

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