Service Details
Services will be held at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 1250 Lathrop Avenue, Racine on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at 12:00 PM. Visitation will be in the church beginning at 11:00 AM until the time of service.
Born to the given name of Ruth E. Golden to Gertrude (Cannon) Dortch and James Golden on August 19,
1931, in New Albany, Mississippi.
Our mother, your grandmother, sister, niece, cousin, auntie and friend transcended from these earthly
duties to her spiritual home on June 7 th , 2023, with her eldest grandson at her side.
Ruth and her mother were of the many people of the great migration to find their final relocation in
Racine, Wisconsin.
Ruth came to Racine from St Louis as a child. Her formal education was through Racine Unified School
District where she attended Howell Elementary, Franklin Jr. High and Washington Park High graduating
in 1949. Ruth continued her education at Dominican College in Racine, Wisconsin.
Ruth’s last employment was at American Motors aka Chrysler Motors where she retired after 19 years
of service in 1989. Ruth worked throughout all her years while raising her family.
Ruth previously worked various other jobs including a Teacher Aide with Janes School, Western
Publishing and as an entrepreneur being self-employed selling Celebrity Jewelry.
Ruth leaves her precious memories to her 5 children; Patricia Ellis, Theresa Ellis, Tamara Ellis, Regina
(Joey) Riley all of Racine, WI and her son Colen aka Butch Ellis who resides in Mesa, AZ to cherish.
Her 10 grandchildren; Adrian (Jill) Ellis of Waukegan, IL, Michael (Christina) Ellis, Leonte’ Ellis, and
ShaKyra Ellis, Lateasha Nicole, Kasandra Gates, Antony (Sheneka) Gates of Racine WI, Kwame Ellis of
Atlanta, GA, Jalen Riley of Houston, TX, Rhea Riley of Milwaukee, WI and Joey Jr. of Racine WI.
16 Great Grandchildren; Alexsis Kempin-Ellis, Jordan Ellis, Gabe and Seyairra Kosterman, Leonje’ Ellis,
LonTesha Ellis, Leonte’ Jr. Ellis, Lide’ Ellis, Shania Ellis, Kwame Jr. Ellis, Antony Gates Jr., Alayna Gates,
Kailynn Cosey, Shawn Thompson, Tiairy Shannon, ShaKyla Shannon.
2 Great-Great Grandchildren; Tiani and Leonte’ III.
Ruth’s brother Robert Milton McClain and Uncle Quincy (Mildred) Cannon. Ruth’s Sister-in-Law Merinda
Sue Jackson of Warren, AK and Brother-in-Law Alfred Ellis of Arlington, TX, a special cousin Alnita
Johnson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Ruth loved bowling, fishing, sewing, crocheting, knitting, community service, having rummage sales and
going to rummage sales.
Ruth was an active member of Mid-Town Church of Christ where she was a Sunday School teacher for
many years and a true Fisher of Men.
Ruth also served on the church board for their outreach program, helped pilot the food pantry and
clothing give away.
After retirement Ruth served on the board of directors for the George Bray Center and taught many
adults how to read through the Racine Literacy Council where she volunteered for 23 years.
Ruth departed this life on June 7, 2023 after the blessing of a healthy 91 years. Ruth dedicated her life
to her family and her love and service to the Lord. Ruth has joined her loved ones in the spirit; her
Mother Gertrude Dortch and Father James Golden, her stepfather John Dortch, her grandfather who
taught her so much Lawrence Cannon, her husband of 24 years Olen Ellis and many special friends only
to name a few Liz Smith and Ms. Betty. Ruth had many bonus children including Ivan Jones and George
Rocket.
Ruth’s wish was always for her family to take care of themselves so they could be sure to take care of
each other.
Gwen Thompson says
My love and condolences goes out to my extended family
Mama Rith will be missed by who knew her
Rest my love ❤️
Until we meet again
Renee Thompson says
Grams you will be Forever missed and love.take your rest my Queem.🙏❤️
Buddy Smith says
To the Ellis family,
May God comfort you during this difficult time. Ms. Ruth will definitely be missed.
Love,
Buddy, Joyce, and daughters
Atlanta, GA
Aisha Thompson says
This hits hard Grams. Thanks for being a major part of my life Grams.💫 I thank God that he used you as a vessel to introduce me and so many others to Christ. I’m grateful to have known such a beautiful woman with a spirit to match inside and out. Words can not express how the world will have such a void without you. 🌹
Love you Grams 🙏🏽 God will forer smile on you and your legacy as he sent the Heavenly Angles to greet you .
Your Georgia Granddaughter.
Felicia D says
I met Ms. Ellis working for Aurora Health Care she would come in with her daughter, she always had a beautiful smile & shared her love for God with her soft spoken voice. Each year she would send me a Christmas Card & Christmas gift and I still have her gifts in my office which I will cherish even more. My condolence to the entire family & I will be praying for you all.
Joanne Powell says
My condolences to the family.
Kevin Manning says
One of the greatest ever. Love you Gram! To the family love y’all. Heaven just got a real one!!
April,Angie & Family says
This is a hard one.. Grams
I’m “we’re” so thankful that we made it to see you last week and give you flowers while you were here in the flesh..You got your wings Grams!!!! You really played a part in our lives and we’ll always cherish that.. We love you Grams 🕊️🕊️🕊️ Always & Forever
Judy Collins says
Condolences to the Ellis family. Patricia, my prayers are with you and your family in the passing of your mom. . May you find comfort during this difficult time. Mrs. Ellis was a kind, warm, smart and resilient woman. May God be with you. 🙏🏾
Stacey Moore & Family says
Condolences to the family
John, Mary, Omar and Bryan Bedford says
Our love and condolences to Regina and Joey on your loss. We are praying for you and the entire family. May God show his amazing grace and provide you peace and comfort in the days to come. We love you and will continue to pray for you and the entire family.
Marilyn WhiteKyle says
My condolences to family Miss Ruth will be miss by many 🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾
Tresia Carr funderburg says
Imma gonna miss u momma Ruth I love u always tell momma hi for me my condolences to Teresa and Butch wish I could be there but I send my love and prayers to ur family
Carol Linda Herron-Mitchell-Jones-MIKS in Beach Park, IL says
My Sincere Condolences To Mrs. Ellis Family Members And Friends. I met Mrs. Ellis upon My Arrival To Racine in 1965. My Big Sister Elizabeth And Husband Sammie Smith Next Door To The Ellis Family On Terrance Avenue. I Watched Mrs. Ellis And Liz Talk And Sometime Whisper To Each Other Sometimes Laughing And Sometimes Not. I Always Wanted To Know What They Were Talking About, But Hard As I Try, I NEVER Knew What Topics Locked Them In Seemingly Serious Conversations. But Watching The Two Of The Them Taught Me A Lot About REAL FRIENDSHIP.
I Loved Eating Whatever Mrs. Ellis Cooked. She Just Seemed To Be Very Good At Whatever She Did. THE RACINE COMMUNITY WILL MISS HER BECAUSE SHE LOVED SERVING ALL OF THEM ❤️
Brenda Allen says
My deepest condolences to family and loved ones
Damion Jackson Sr. says
Gram thank you for embracing a young man like me. Growing up without my grandmother you gave me a first class view of a grandmothers love and guidance. Thank you for being a consistent example morals, values, discipline and accountability needed in our communities. To Adrian, Mike, Te, Teasha, Sandy, Tony, Kwame, Jalen and those that I forgot (please dont hold it against me) thank you for allowing me into the circle to share your grandmother. She positively impacted my life and I am FOREVER grateful. Gram was more than a woman, she was a living treasure. I will finish by saying that anyone with Grams blood in them, just know and cherish the fact that you have royalty flowing through your veins. Realize, embrace it and live it. I love you all!!! Jack
Daimon Jackson Sr
Friend
June 15, 2023