Robert E. Ellington

Robert Ellington was named after a family friend by his parents. Unfortunately, he never had the opportunity to meet his namesake. However, his last name Ellington is famously known because of the legendary Duke Ellington who was Robert Ellington’s uncle on his father’s side of the family. He would marry into the 19th century Pioneer African American family of the founders of Antioch Baptist Church John and Rosalind Jordan and become active in the service of the San Jose community and the Antioch Church.

It is interesting to note that Robert was born to his mother Mary Louse and his father, Napoleon “Nat” Ellington on August 4, 1923, at San Jose Hospital located here in San Jose. He had two older brothers, Wesley and Philip, one older sister Mary Louise and two younger twin sisters named Dolores and Gloria. Unfortunately, Gloria is his only living sibling today.

Life in San Jose would be spent as a toddler on North Fourth Street and then the family later moved to North Twentieth Street where he would spend the remainder of his childhood and early adult life. In a personal interview in 2017, Bob shared that San Jose was a very friendly farming town and he never really felt any discrimination being a person of color. He was the only “colored” person in his graduating class at San Jose Normal School. He attended Grant Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, and San Jose High School. His attendance at San Jose Normal School now known as San Jose State found him majoring in law and minoring in music.

He reflected that when he was growing up that black people made up about 2% of the population and his family was the only “colored” one on the street. The majority of the black families lived on Eleventh Street. He was baptized and gave his life to the Lord at the age of thirteen. There were only two African American churches in the city, First AME Zion, and Antioch and they would hold joint church picnics and holiday celebrations together.

Bob was very fortunate that he and Joyce grew up together. The Ellington and Jordan families knew each other and enjoyed social activities together. After serving in the United States Army, he returned to San Jose and began dating Joyce.

Bob married the love of his life, Joyce who was a member of Antioch he was married by Reverend CW Washington at Antioch church. He would work at numerous positions in San Jose, and retired from a career as a pharmaceutical shipping clerk. He volunteered at his former elementary school with the Boy Scouts of America, is a World

War II Veteran and served five years in the United States Army traveling throughout Europe. He loved music, was an accomplished trumpet player, and had several hobbies that include attending local flea markets, coin collecting, reading, collecting t-shirts and photography.

Robert Ellington’s favorite Bible verse was Psalms 23 because it reminded him that God was the Shepherd of his life and will always be present to protect him. He indicated that the three areas of pleasure at Antioch have been (1) his passion for the Food Ministry, (2) serving with community and church groups that need him and (3) his past service as the Antioch Baptist Church Den Leader to the Boy Scouts of America. He describes himself as “Blessed”!!!

Robert (Bob) Ellington passed away peacefully on Monday, June 11, 2018 in the city that he was a major part of for many years. He was a Past Master, Mason, Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M, State of California, Order of the Eastern Star, San Jose Bible Church, the Northside Neighborhood Association and an active leader in the Antioch Baptist Church Weekly Food Ministry.

His siblings were Wesley Ellington, Mary Tanner, Philip Ellington, Delores Bryant all deceased with his surviving sister Gloria Anderson (CA). His children surviving children are David (Tamra) Ellington (GA), Debra (Tim) Burkheart (CA), Douglas E. Ellington (CA). His grandchildren Eugene Ellington (CA), Christian Ellington (CA), Kimberley Burkheart (CA) Daniel Burkheart (CA), Robert Burkheart (CA), Nyilah Ellington (GA), Aaliyha Scort (GA), Elasia Teal (GA), Dinah Ellington (CA). He was truly blessed to have great-grandchildren Damian Burkheart (G).

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Antioch Baptist Church or the Joyce Ellington Library in remembrance of Robert (Bob) Ellington.