Ezzard Charles Ivy

The Life I Lived

Elder E. Charles Ivy was born on October 4, 1950 in Future City, Illinois to Deborah Ivy and Bernis Norman. He was raise by a god fearing grandmother who loved the lord, Bessie Terrell-Ivy and his grandfather Prince Ivy. He is preceded in death by parents, grandparents and one grandson, Ezzard Charles Ivy.

He was a graduate of Sumner High School in Cairo, Illinois Class of 1967. After graduation Elder Ivy found gainful employment with Burkhart Foam Company in Cairo, Illinois for 25 years. . After the closing of Burkhart, Elder Ivy worked several odd jobs to support his family until his first heart attack. He was currently employed by the Mississippi County Detention Center in Charleston, Missouri.

On June 28, 1969, he was united in Holy matrimony to Rosie B. Kent.

Elder Ivy was taught about God's grace at an early age. He confessed Christ in 1980 at the age of 30 years under the leadership of Superintendent Steve L. Betts of the Opportunity Church of God in Christ in Charleston Missouri. It was here that he received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

While under Elder Steve Betts leadership he served faithfully as a deacon, choir member and Sunday school teacher and later, ordained as an Elder on June 22, 2001. In 2003 Elder Ivy was appointed as pastor of Prayer of Deliverance Church of God in Christ in New Madrid, Missouri by Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten. On June 23, 2005 he was appointed as the Pastor of New Haven Church of God In Christ in Wilson City, Missouri. He served there faithfully until his death.

Elder Ivy also served under Elder Theodas Sanders, Sr. as District YPWW President, as treasurer and District Evangelist under Superintendent Steve Betts and Superintendent Henry Clark.

He was a member of Charleston Men of Action and he organized a group of concerned parents whose goal was to better the Charleston Community and the Charleston Public School System.

He was affectionate called "Couchie" by his family, "Bull" by some old running buddies, and Pastor Ivy by his church family.

Elder Charles Ivy believed that a man should take care of his family. He was adamant on family having a close bond. Elder Ivy loved his grandchildren and children whole heartedly and unconditionally. They were his greatest love after God and his wife. He was especially over joyed and proud of their good grades.

He loved sports, boxing was his favorite. If you had the pleasure of watching it with him, it was hilarious, one would think he was in the boxing ring himself, just by looking at his small facial expressions and body language. He also loved hunting with his father-in law, who also preceded him in death.

God decided on February 22, 2014 at 5:38 P. M. that Elder E. Charles Ivy had served his time on this earth as a good and faithful servant. It was time for him to rest from his labor, free of pain and suffering and the time had come for him to reap his reward in heaven in the comfort of God's bosom. Elder Charles Ivy departed this life while at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau Missouri, at the age of 63 years, four months and 22 days.

Elder Ezzard Charles Ivy leaves to cherish his memory; Rosie B. Ivy, his loving, faithful, and God fearing wife of 43 years, 7 months and 22 days, one son, Curtis (Clarissa) Kent of Champaign, Illinois; two daughters; Yolanda (Charles) Scott Jr., Crystal LaTosha (Demetris) Murray of Charleston, Missouri, two brothers; Gerald (Luella) Ivy Sr. of Dallas, Texas and Ronald Ivy of Odenton, Maryland; two sisters; Shelia (Riley) Gaines of Bladensburg, Maryland and Vanessa (Curtis) Forte of Fayetteville, North Carolina, one uncle, Joseph Ivy of Topeka, Kansas, four aunts, Delois Ivy-Hunt of Cairo, Illinois, Ann Jones of Cairo, Illinois; a special aunt/sister, Velma Ivy-Brown of Washington, D.C. and Cheryl(Darryl) Houston of Mounds, Illinois. A grandson he raised as his own; Mackenzie "Skeetah" Ivy Sr. of Charleston, Missouri. eleven grandchildren, Curtisha, Maurice, Michael, Phylesha "Ann", Demetria, Ashley, Markisjah "Mama", Trionna, T.0 and Darius three great grandsons, Tishon, Mackenzie Jr. "Junior", and Prince and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends that he loved.

Elder E. Charles Ivy was a father figure to many and a conversationalist with any. He never met a stranger.

Friends may call Friday, February 28, 2014 from 5:00 P. M. – 7:00 P. M. at New Haven Church of God in Christ in Wilson City where funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 11:00 A. M. with Bishop Lawrence Wooten officiating.

Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston with the Williams Funeral Home of Charleston in charge of arrangements.