Iris Ellis

   Iris May Harrison Ellis was born on May 14, 1922, at Colón Hospital in Panamá to Benjamin Harrison and Agnes Laing Harrison. She attended Gatún Canal Zone School and was a devoted member of Cristóbal Colón Baptist Church (First Isthmian Baptist Church), where she married Lloyd (Oscar) Ellis in 1940. Their loving union was blessed with seven children: Wilma, Oscar, Jr., Cheryl, Luis, Xenia, Melvyn, and Vincent, who passed away only a few months after his birth.

   After the passing of her beloved husband, best friend and confidant, Iris emigrated to the United States in 2000, where she resided with her daughter Cheryl and son-in-law Leroy Burton until her death.

   Iris was active in the Senior Citizens Program at the Theodore D. Young Community Center in White Plains, New York, and an active member of Greater Centennial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Mount Vernon, New York.

   Iris did not live her life by limitations, but by possibilities. She was always willing to accept a challenge, within reason. Her years of international travel, which included the Caribbean, South Africa, Italy, Hawaii, visits to her children and grandchildren in various states, ended in March 2025, after spending several months in Panama, enjoying friends and family.

   Iris was a woman of many gifts and talents: she played tennis during her youth and was a life-long Dodger fan, a passion she shared with her eldest son Oscar, Jr. She looked forward to baking her traditional fruit cake for Christmas each year, which would begin in early fall with the purchase, mincing and soaking of fruits in wine, baking in two batches in December to ship to her children and other family members abroad, and then some for the home. We will miss the house-filled aroma of those delicious cakes!

   She enjoyed her solitude as well, spending several hours in mindful and relaxing activities such as neatly coloring abstract and intricate designs in her many adult coloring books, engaging in solving word search puzzles and tuning into her two favorite game shows, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She was also a lover of the Arts whether in person, or on the television.

   Her devotion to God was reflected in her spiritual practices. She immersed herself in The Daily Word devotional and, for many years—even until the end—faithfully subscribed to and paid for copies for each of her children, ensuring that God’s Word would remain close to their hearts. Iris leaves behind a legacy that will stand the test of time for her children, grand- children, great-grandchildren, and entire family. She will forever be remembered for her kindness, generosity, patience, understanding, sense of humor, excellent listening skills, and above all—for her love, humility, and zest for life.

   She was a sister, a grandmother to ten grandchildren, a great-grandmother to seven great-grandchildren and the guiding light of her family. To her many nieces and nephews, she was known affectionately as “the favorite aunt.” Known as “the pacifist” in resolving disputes, Iris lived with quiet strength and a deep, abiding faith. She impressed upon her children the importance of loving and serving God in their daily lives.

   She was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd (Oscar); her infant son, Vincent; her parents, Benjamin and Agnes; her aunt, Martha; and her brothers, Hugh and Vincent.

   Left to mourn her death are her brother, George Harrison (Mary); sister in-law, Lucila Ellis; children, Wilma Ellis; Oscar Ellis, Jr. (Nita); Cheryl Burton (Leroy); Luis Ellis; Xenia McFarlane (Winston); Melvyn Ellis (Martha). Grandchildren: Shantal Benton; Nadine Burton-Flanders; Michell DuBois; Luis Ellis, Jr.; Natalia Ellis; Oscar Ellis, III; Sholida Ellis; Yolanda Moreland; Darren Sealey; and Colleen Watson; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Vicente, Massimo, Oscar IV, Makani, Johanna, Trisdan, Giovanni, Lucas and Giana; many nieces, nephews, and friends. May she rest in perfect peace.

A Legacy of Love

I leave you the legacy of a dream, of faith, of hope, of love redeemed.

I leave you lessons my heart has shown, that you may reap what I have sown.

Carry them gently, day by day, let God’s light guide you on your way.

And when you pause, remember me—a life of love, eternally.

(Author Unknown)