Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Sister Mattie Ellis was born on a lovely Sunday morning, June 12, 1927 in Oak Hill, Alabama. She made her transition to her Heavenly home on Feb. 19, 2020 at 2:10 PM.  She was the second of ten children born to the late Willie and Hattie Ellis. At an early age she accepted Christ while attending Hopewell CME Church and later transitioned to Saint Paul Lutheran Church.

Mattie was attracted to a hardworking “steel driving” young man, John Henry Stallworth Sr. They were united in holy matrimony and two children were born to this union, Dotti and John Stallworth Jr. After the premature death of her husband, a young handsome suitor, Lucius Jenkins, began sending notes to her by her sister Katie. Soon they fell in love and married on Christmas Eve. They were blessed with five children: Mac, Mary, Carl, Larry, and Betty Jenkins. Mattie and family relocated to Brewton in 1957. Later, they joined the historic Second Saint Siloam Missionary Baptist Church. They loved their pastors (Rev. Lancaster and Rev. Blue) and church family; serving faithfully as deacon and deaconess.

Mattie worked enthusiastically in various jobs throughout the city of Brewton. She retired from New Hope Manor Nursing Home after more than twenty years of service. She was endowed by her Creator with extraordinary gifts and talents. First, without medical training, she delivered two healthy babies while awaiting the arrival of the midwife. Second, she demonstrated her expertise at crocheting, quilt making, decorating, and culinary arts. She was excited to share recipes and baked goods with her immediate family, church family, and community. Her sons inherited her cooking talents, her daughters inherited her decorating and ‘haute couture’ (fashions) skills, and her grandchildren share her left-handedness.

Mattie’s most enjoyable hobbies were fishing and traveling. In 2013, she temporarily relocated to Los Angeles, CA where she attended West Angeles COGIC under the leadership of Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. Further, she became an entrepreneur; established “Mama’s Tea Cakes” and proudly sold tea cakes, pies, and cakes. After three and a half years, she became homesick and returned to Brewton to reconnect with her local family, church family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Willie and Hattie Ellis; her husband, Lucius; son Larry; grandson, DeBran “Bub” Bracey; great grandson, Mason Shoots; five siblings, Lucious Ellis, Charlie Ellis, Calvin Ellis, Hattie Ellis, and George Ellis.

Mattie leaves to cherish her memories six children, Dotti Stallworth of View Park, CA, John H. (Beverley) Stallworth Jr. of Henrico, VA, McKinley (Regina) Jenkins of Brewton, Mary Warren of Los Angeles, Calif, Carl Jenkins of Brewton, and Betty Jenkins of  Cincinnati, Ohio; six siblings, Katie Ellis of Biloxi, Miss., Beatrice Jenkins of Cincinnati, Ohio, Annie B. Ellis of Oak Hill, Ala., Inez (Eddie) Carter of Pensacola, Fla., Willie Joe (Ethel L.) Ellis and Luete Ellis, both of Brewton; three siblings-in-love, Elder Charles Jenkins of Montgomery, Ala., Mrs. Wilma Ellis of Los Angeles, Calif., and Mrs. Bobbie Ellis of Birmingham, Ala.; 22 grandchildren; 59 great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends will miss our matriarch dearly.

Funeral services were held for Mrs. Mattie Ellis Jenkins Sat., Feb. 29, 2020 at 2:30 PM at Second Saint Siloam Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. Dr. Willie J. Blue is pastor (officiating) and Elder Charles L. Jenkins was Moderator.

Interment immediately followed at Piney Grove Church Cemetery.

Professional care and final arrangements were entrusted to Presley-Fluker Funeral Directors of Evergreen and Brewton.