John Ely

Mr. John Ely, age 78, a native of Harleston, Mississippi and longtime resident of Vancleave, Mississippi, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, April 4, 2011. Mr. Ely was born on November 3, 1932 to Melvin H. and Lila J. Ely. He was a longtime, faithful member of First Baptist Church, Vancleave. Mr. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, and brother. He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin H. Ely, Sr. and Lila J. Ely, three brothers, Melvin, Charles and Grady Ely and four sisters, Myrtle Holmberg, Frances Mixon, Joyce Deakle, and Mary Elizabeth Ely. Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Melva Lee (McAllister) Ely; two sons, Marvin and Chris Ely of Vancleave; daughter, Gail (Bob) Lowe of Milton, FL; five grandchildren, Marvin Ely of Louisville, KY, Sara Ely of Vancleave, Zoe' (Britt) Shore of Pace, FL., Zack and Zane Lowe of Milton, FL.; four brothers, Frank and Curtis Ely of Harleston, MS., Vanis Ely of Madison, MS., and Carl Ely of Grand Bay, AL., sister, Barbara Jean McMillan of Escatawpa, MS; two precious great-grandsons, Sawyer Ely of Vancleave and Bentley Shore of Pace, FL; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Marvin Ely, Zack and Zane Lowe; and his nephews, Clayton, Paul, and Jimmy Ely, Roy Mixon, and James McAllister. Honorary pallbearers will be David Buchanan's Sunday School Class. Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at First Baptist Church in Vancleave. Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at First Baptist Church in Vancleave with Dr. Don Boone, Bro. Bob Storie, and Bro. Bob Lowe officiating. Interment will follow in Vancleave #1 Cemetery. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 4901 Jim Ramsey Road, Vancleave is in charge of funeral arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.