In Tribute To Connecting Link
LT C Benjamin F. Ellis Jr.
“AVE
CEREMONY
(Chapter President)
Dear Friends, this tribute by the Dade County (FL) Chapter of The Links,Incorporated is given this 1st day of December to the memory of our dear departed brother,Connecting Link LTC Benjamin F. Ellis, Jr., who was called to eternal rest on November 19,2023.
NEW TESTAMENT ~ JOHN 14:1-4
Mr. Gregory Gay OLD TESTAMENT ~ PSALM 121:2
(Chapter Member) I light this candle in tribute and honor to our deceased brother,Connecting Link LTC Benjamin F. Ellis, Jr.
(All Links) There is no death. His light shines forevermore. His voice and memories of him will live within our hearts.
(Chapter President) This white rose is a symbol of friendship and service.
SPECIAL REMARKS
Mr. Milton Vickers
(Chapter President) Friendship is the chain of Links, which binds us together. Service is that which Connecting Link LTC Benjamin F. Ellis, Jr. gave lovingly to his family, to his country, and to humanity.
MARIA” by SCHUBERT
POETIC TRIBUTE
Mr. James Rowan
(Chapter President) I break this chain, merciful Father, symbolic of the missing Connecting Link in our chain of friendship.
(All Links) Almighty and most merciful Father we pray Thy blessings on the soul of this departed brother, Connecting Link LTC Benjamin F. Ellis, Jr. May he rest in peace through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
PSALM 23
(All Links)
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
CHAPTER RESOLUTION
Ms. Kim McCray
“THE LORD’S PRAYER” BY MALOTTE”
President, using the snuffer, extinguishes the candle at the close of The Lord’s Prayer, and all return to their seats or leave quietly.
Obituary
Benjamin Franklin Ellis, Jr. was born to Benjamin Franklin Ellis, Sr. and Edna Elizabeth Pinkston Ellis in East Palatka, Florida on December 7, 1941—the same day as the surprise military strike on Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. His family took this as a sign that he was born to be a great military man. They were right.
As a young man, Ben developed a passion for his hometown of East Palatka, his church—Morningstar Baptist Church—and fast cars. After graduating from Central Academy High School in Palatka in 1959, Ben continued his education at Florida A&M University, majoring in political science and history. While at Florida A&M, Ben became a member of the Scabbard and Blade Military Leadership Society, the Pershing Rifles Military Society, the ROTC Drill Team, and his beloved Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Upon his graduation with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1963, he was commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army before going on to earn a Master of Arts degree in political science from Arizona State University.
Ben was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Gordon, Georgia; and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He served tours in both Korea and Vietnam where he was awarded multiple ribbons and medals, including the prestigious Silver Star medal for acts of valor and heroism. He retired from active duty in 1989 as a Lieutenant Colonel. But LTC Ellis’s commitment to the US Army remained strong even after retirement. Turning his attention to higher education, he taught American Military History at Norfolk State University before becoming a professor of military
science and head of the Senior Army ROTC Department.
While visiting longtime friends Joseph Dukes (a homeboy from East Palatka) and Dandred Emmanuel in Miami, Florida, LTC Ellis attended a Sunday service at the Universal Truth Center and met the lovely Christine Everett Alexander. Thus began a new chapter in his life. He soon moved to Miami, and in 2012, he and Christine were married. He joined the Universal Truth Center family and became an active member of the Men Expressing Christ ministry.
LTC Ellis’s favorite scripture was 2 Corinthians 13, and everything about his life was a testament to his strong belief in the power of love, faith, and grace. He will be remembered as a man who honored God, loved his family, served his country, and lived his creed.
Preceding LTC Ellis in death were his parents Benjamin Franklin Ellis, Sr. and Edna Elizabeth Pinkston Ellis, and older brothers John Ivery Ellis, Rufus Ellis, Sr., and Leonard Warren Ellis. Surviving to celebrate his memory are his loving wife Christine Everett Alexander Ellis; children Eric Bryan Ellis and Traci Ellis Daniels, Esq.; sister-in-law Magdalene Ellis; grandson Garrett Benjamin Ellis; great-grandson Grayson Jahlil Ellis; stepson Dr. Dennis Wesley Alexander III (Kenisha); step-granddaughter Riley Nichelle Alexander, who affectionately called him “Pa-Pa”; and a host of doting cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Your Heart I’M THERE INSIDE
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
Right now I’m in a different place And though we seem apart I’m closer than I ever was, I’m there inside your heart.
I’m with you when you greet each day And while the sun shines bright I’m there to share the sunsets, too I’m with you every night.
I’m with you when the times are good To share a laugh or two, And if a tear should start to fall I’ll still be there for you.
And when that day arrives That we no longer are apart, I’ll smile and hold you close to me, Forever in my heart.
Thank You
Perhaps you sent a lovely card or sat quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent those beautiful flowers, that we saw sitting there. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, as any friend could say. Perhaps you viewed the service from miles away or the comfort of your living room. Perhaps you were not there at all, just thought of us that day. Whatever you did to console our hearts we thank you so much for whatever part. We deeply appreciate your kind expression of sympathy in our time of great sorrow. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.