Extracted from the Birmingham News (Birmingham, AL)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008

John David Ellison Sr.

John David Ellison Sr., age 80, of Calera, died Sunday, December 28, 2008 at his home. He was the only child of Ellen Robertson and Cornelious ``Shorty'' Ellison and was born in the same house that he lived in at the time of his death.

David is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Pauline ``Polly'' Ellison; and their 5 children, Paula Ellison Yoe, of Calera, John David "Dusty" Ellison, Jr. (Lisa T.) of Monroeville, Michael Stanley Ellison, Sr. (Cindy K.), Robin Ellison Andrews (Matt), and Stephen Randal Ellison, Sr. (Kelly B.), all of Calera; 12 grandchildren, Mary Beth Yoe Barnes (Jeff) and Daniel Yoe of Calera and Ginny Yoe Livings (Mark) of Birmingham, John David Ellison, III and Dustin Ellison of Monroeville, Michael and Nick Ellison, Brooke, Ashlea, and Amy Andrews, and Stephen and Joshua Ellison, all of Calera; 3 great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Hinton Livings, John Curtis Barnes, and another great grandchild on the way.

Dave retired from Abex Corp. after 35 years of service in management. He was an all-around athlete and sportsman who played sports in Calera and Jemison and had the honor of playing on Jemison's first High School football team. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinal Baseball team and continued to play professional baseball between serving in the Army in World War II and the Air Force in the Korean War. While playing minor league baseball, after service, he met and married the love of his life in Tallahassee, FL and they returned to Calera to start their family.

He was involved with many church, school, and civic organizations including Little League Baseball, Quarterback Club (Captain), the Masons, and served as Past Patron of O.E.S. Chapter 499 in Calera. He was a charter member of Buxahatchee Country Club where he served on its board. Dave was an accomplished golfer and amassed a total of 8 hole-in-ones during his playing days, the last on his 78th Birthday. Those later years were spent at Magnolia Meadows with his golfing buddies.

David was a true servant and he felt blessed to do what service he could at his beloved Shiloh United Methodist Church where he was a lifelong member. He served on the Official Board in many capacities including as a Trustee. He also sang in gospel quartets and served as choir director for many years. His many friends will remember his bright smile, his brilliant blue eyes and most of all his love for the Lord and his family.

Visitation at Bolton-Letlow Funeral Home in Columbiana will be Monday night, 6 - 8 p.m. followed by funeral service at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Calera on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 11 a.m.

Interment follows at Shelby Memory Gardens in Calera. Rev. Joe Raines presiding. Bolton-Letlow Funeral Home is directing.