Carole Hillhouse Ellis, 83, of Greenville, died peacefully on Thursday, July 28, 2022. She was married to the late John Robert “Bob” Ellis for 60 years. She was a daughter of the late Bill and Laura Hillhouse.
Carole was the beloved Director of Christian Education at Greenville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church for 40 years before her retirement in 2006. She taught many children, teenagers, and adults over the years. Carole worked alongside five senior ministers in the span of her career. She was known to be the glue that kept the church together during times of transitioning from one pastor to another. Her children recognize that their mother had a God given ability to identify the gifts of members so she could plug them into service. This is probably the reason why it was widely known that no one could ever say “no” when asked to teach a class, coach a team, or prepare or serve a meal.
In 2007 Carole was the recipient of the Julia Rhodes Award for Outstanding Service by Erskine Seminary.
She is survived by children, Susan Crout (James), Sherri Berni, and John Robert “Robbie” Ellis (Heather); grandchildren, Rev. Jay Crout (Mary Ann), Laurel Crout Hammond (Tee), Hannah Ellis; great-grandchildren, Hank Crout, Mary Grace Crout, Major Hammond, Charlotte Hammond; a brother, Billy Hillhouse (Frankie); a sister, Cindy Hillhouse Murphy.
She was predeceased by great-grandsons, Rhett Archibald Crout and Robert Grantham Crout.
Visitation will be held Sunday, July 31, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Greenville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. The funeral service will be held Monday, August 1, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Greenville ARP Church followed by burial in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Village Presbyterian (c/o Greenville ARP Church, 741 Cleveland Street, Greenville, SC 29601); Bonclarken Conference Center (500 Pine Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731); Greenville ARP Church (741 Cleveland Street, Greenville, SC 29601).
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