James Ray Ellis

On Sunday September 2, 2018, James Ray Ellis, aka Jimmy, went home to be with the Lord at age 77. The sole child from the union of Luda Louise Hughey and Wilton Ellis, Jimmy was born January 1, 1941 in Texarkana, Texas. After Louise and Wilton's divorce, she and Jimmy moved from Boston to Toledo, Ohio when he was 5. Louise married Joseph Calvin Kemp who raised Jimmy as if he were his biological son. Jimmy was a good son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and precious friend. He accepted Christ as his personal savior at the early age of 13 years old. Jimmy graduated from Libbey High School in Toledo, Ohio in 1958 and married Shirley M. Houston in 1961 and later divorced. Jimmy was a singer and was known to have had a voice comparable to Johnny Mathis. He was a member of the musical groups, The Commercials and Lil Mac and The Limelights and even recorded a song entitled "The Power In Your Love" written by Doris Troy. He had many wonderful relationships that he treasured.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his father Wilton Ellis and his beloved step-father Joseph Calvin Kemp. Living to cherish his memory are his 98 year old mother Louise Kemp, his children all of Toledo, Ohio, Robin Chaney, Bridget (Steve) Anderson, Anthony (DeAnna) Ellis Sr, Stayce Fowler and Maria King, fifteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and other family members and awesome friends, that have displayed unwavering care and poured into his life, an abundance of love. The family appreciates all of you and would like to acknowledge and thank the special care given for many years by Juana Robinson.

The family will receive guests Friday, September 7, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 6:00 p.m. at Newcomer-SW Chapel, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo (419-381-1900). Interment will be private.

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