Jackie was born to the late Emma Lee Lockett Redd and Henry Davis in Lexington, Kentucky. Jackie grew up as a very precocious and loving young lady. She accepted Christ at a young age and attended the Consolidated Baptist Church She graduated high school from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School. Following high school, she moved to Cincinnati and enrolled in the Poro Beauty College and earned her license. Upon graduating from Poro, she worked at Charlsie's Salon in Evanston.
During her young adulthood, Jackie had many adventures with her classmates and friends. Her big claim to fame was once holding Jackie Wilson's cigarette while he performed.
Jackie married Melvin George Ellis of Cincinnati and continued styling hair in the home following the birth of her pride and joy, her children, Donna, George, Melvin, and Sheri. While in Cincinnati, Jackie was highly active in church ministry. She joined the Christ Emmanuel Baptist Church in 1976 and rolled her sleeves up. Her service in ministry included but is not limited to: Willing Workers, Children’s Church, Senior Choir, Sunday School teacher, and Brownie Troop leader. Recently she joined in fellowship with Citygate Church where she attended until a decline in her health.
“Ma” as she was affectionately known by her children’s friends, worked as a favored lunchroom cook for Cincinnati Public School at Pleasant Ridge Elementary, Schroder Junior High, Silverton Elementary and Kilgour Elementary for more than 20 years, until her retirement. Loving children of all ages was Jackie’s passion, purpose, and joy. Neighborhood children, kids at church, and at school, loved Miss Jackie. Jackie was proceeded in death by her sisters Sarah and Deborah, and brothers Henry T. and Anthony Wayne Davis.
Jackie is survived by her children: Donna, George (Cossandra), Melvin (Donya), and Emma Sheri Ellis; her elder brother, Philip Finley; sisters Barbara Ann Davis and Yvonne Carson; six adoring grandchildren who were her heartbeat: Lauren Ashley Stallworth, Ge'Ana L. Ellis, Deja'h Holman, Geordan Zion, Madisyn Paige, and Melvin Matthew Ellis, one great granddaughter, Kennedi Stallworth, Adopted granddaughters, Christin and Charlotte Parrish, and dear friends Dorothy Stallworth, Anna Parrish, Louise Parrish, and Loree Hood. Many close relatives and friends have cherished and fond memories of times spent in laughter with Jackie.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Jacquelyn H. Ellis, please visit our floral store.