Lottie Mae Ellis

The eldest of three children, Lottie Mae was born in Wetumpka, Alabama on September 13, 1933 to Major and Lucille Merkerson. She moved from Alabama to Saginaw, MI at an early age. The daughter of a deacon, she dedicated her life to Christ and attended church regularly with her parents and siblings, Barbara and Bernard. Her mother and father instilled in their home to love, to care, to be kind, and thoughtful to one another. These are the values reflected in the bonds she created with family and friends, near and far, that would last a lifetime. Although soft spoken, Lottie had a passion for the piano and singing. She took piano lessons, sang in the church choir and was a member of an a cappella choir in high school. Although Lottie never pursued singing as a career, on occasion, you could hear her singing around the house to Gospel, Jazz or Motown. In high school, she met the love of her life, Charles Ellis, who also attended the same school and church, Mt. Olive Baptist Church . After graduating from Saginaw High School in 1951, Lottie enrolled at The Business Institute of Saginaw for secretarial classes. After completion, she was hired as the first black secretary with the UAW. Lottie and Charles dated for several years after high school. On October 28, 1956, they wed at her parents’ family home. Lottie resigned from the UAW, and she and Charles relocated to the south side of Chicago; but her strong family ties gave way to frequent visits back home to Michigan. In 1958, Lottie and Charles started a family and had three children - Charles aka J.R., Vincent and Bridget. As she raised her children, they too spent time with family in Michigan because it was very important that they know their grandparents and to pass down the values and lessons taught to her. Continuing to work in the administrative field, Lottie was employed at General Electric for many years; and in the 1980s, Borg Warner and Kirkland & Ellis. Working at a prestigious law firm such as Kirkland & Ellis, and now an empty nester, Lottie found her niche in the world of law. During this time, her visits to Michigan became more frequent because family remained a priority. Although she enjoyed working at the law firm, Lottie and Charles decided to retire and relocate back to Saginaw to care for her mother and father in 1991. She also cared for her aunt and uncle for several years until their homegoing. As the years passed and no longer a caregiver, she and Charles remained in Saginaw. Lottie remained a faithful member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church where she deepened connections with her long standing church family. Both she and Charles enjoyed small weekend excursions with close friends. Throughout the years, their travels extended from the coast to coast, to visit their children, friends and family. In 2014, Lottie began to exhibit early signs of Alzheimer’s. For the next six years, Charles provided unwavering support and dedication to his beloved. In November 2020, Lottie and Charles moved to Atlanta in order to receive the care and support of their family. Lottie cherished her family and the many long standing friendships established during her lifetime. Her untimely passing has left us with an indescribable heartache yet we know she is among the angels and free from sickness and pain. Preceded her in death, parents-Major and Lucille Merkerson, sister Barbara Brown; brother, Bernard Merkerson Lottie is survived by her husband of 64 years, Charles; three children, Charles Jr., Vincent, and Bridget; daughter-in-law, Sharon Ellis; nine grandchildren: Shelon Brown, Mia Tyler, Taylor Cooley, Asia Cooley, Morgan (Logan) Nero, Paige Ellis, Vincent Jr., Raven Burnett (Sugg Williams) and Miguel (Antinique) Burnett; seven great grandchildren: Savannah Tyler, Abigail Tyler, Julia Williams, Bree Spraggins, Zanee Burnett, Amari Williams, River Grace Burnett; Brothers in law William Ellis and Fred Ellis; nieces, nephews, and a host of family and friends.