Obituary: James E. Ellenburg

James E. Ellenburg, 86, of Pelzer, who served as a pastor and director of missions in the Upstate for most of his ministry, died Aug. 11, 2014.

Born in Pickens County on Dec. 27, 1927, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army (1st Infantry Division) and served in World War II.

Ellenburg attended North Greenville College and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Furman University and a graduate degree from Erskine Theological Seminary.

He served as pastor of Jones Avenue Baptist Church in Easley, Bounty Land Baptist Church in Seneca, El Bethel Baptist Church in Tampa, Fla., and Washington Baptist Church in Pelzer. He also served numerous interim pastorates.

After retiring from Washington Baptist Church, Ellenburg served as director of missions for Palmetto Baptist Association and was a seminary extension teacher in Anderson and Oconee counties. He served on the board of directors for the Christian Learning Center and Piedmont Center for Mental Health.

Ellenburg’s ministry journey is chronicled in his book, “From the Weave Room to the Pulpit,” which he completed shortly before his death.

Survivors include his wife, Louise Hayes Ellenburg, three children, eight grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter.