Ella Mae Gilchrist Melvin Gallop was taken from her earthly home on Monday, November 26, 2018, by her angel, to her home that God has prepared for her.
She was born on March 20, 1920 to the late Thomas Gilchrist, Sr. and Marion Sheppard Gilchrist, she was the third child of fourteen children. She attended the public school in the New Light section of Princess Anne County, now known as Virginia Beach and later studied at the Learning Adult Center in Virginia Beach. In 1933, she was born again to the family of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was baptized by Pastor E. Smith and joined the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church “Fellowship”. She was taught the way of Christ, by her late mother and father, even before she was born again. She grew in the wisdom and knowledge of Christ, participated in many activities at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was committed to all she tried to do by the leading of the Holy Spirit. God used her by being a Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Secretary, Sunday School Superintendent, Secretary of the Baptist Training Union, Church Clerk, President of the Senior Choir, Financial Secretary of the Beautification Ministry and member of the Pastor’s Aid Committee.
After 72 years of worshiping at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor E. Smith, A. Reid, Leon Freeman and the late Pastor William D. Scott, God led her to join New Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Clyde L. Doxey, Jr.
Ella Mae was a member and President of the Joy Senior Citizen Club for eighteen years. She loved her Pastor, church family, relatives and friends. She was first married to the late Raymond Melvin, after his death, she married the late William Gallop and remained a widow until her victory. She leaves to cherish her memory, one daughter, Christine Powell of Norfolk, VA; two sons, Raymond Melvin (Lucille) and Michael Melvin (Deborah) both of Virginia Beach, VA; three granddaughters, Cynthia Doxey (Clyde), Terri Powell and Waukesha Melvin; eight grandsons, Frank Powell, Jr. (Denene), Devin Melvin, Michael Melvin, Jr. (Winter), Craig Melvin, Gregory Melvin, Maurice Melvin, Imani Melvin, and Franklin Melvin, Jr.; seventeen great-grandchildren; eleven great-great grandchildren; one brother Walter Gilchrist, Sr.; four sisters, Naomi Gills, Vernice Sanderson, Rosa Mae Jones (Lorenzo) and Marion Vaughn (Ervin); a special sister-in-law, Martha Gilchrist and a host of relatives and friends.
She is pre-deceased by two daughters, Goldie and Rosella; two sons, Franklin, Sr. and Larry Melvin; seven brothers, Robert, William, James, John, Sr., Alphonso, Reuben, and Thomas Lee, Sr.; one sister, Annie and one great-grandson, Allen Powell.
Ella Mae loved to sing her favorite songs “Jesus Paid It All”, “He’ll Understand and Say Well Done” and “God Will Wipe All Tears Away”. Her favorite scripture can be found in Psalm 27 & 94 also “Now behold my witness is in heaven and my record on high”, Job 16:19.
Condolences(8)-
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Brian K. Goodman and Family says
November 28, 2018 at 9:41 pmTo the Gallop family, I am sending my deepest sympathy to the family. I knew her as Ms. Ella, she was somewhat like a mother to me. I met her through her son Michael Melvin, he is a dear friend of mine. He talked about his loving mother, and how thankful he was to be able to spend a lot of time with her. There was nothing that he would not do for him mother. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Andrew Reid and Family says
November 28, 2018 at 9:49 pmMay God’s comfort through Jesus Christ be with the family due to the loss of your love one
I will always remember Aunt Ella Mae’s warm smile, gentile manner, helpful attitude and generous nature.
Andrew Reid and Family,
Baltimore, Maryland
Lilliam Coppedge & Family says
November 29, 2018 at 12:36 pmMy deepest sympathy to the family GOD BLESS.
Lawana Loar says
November 29, 2018 at 8:06 pmWords cannot even express how much Mother Gallop blessed my heart. When my family joined Pleasant Grove in 1980, she adopted our family as her own. I learned so much from her and gained from her wisdom. I will never forget wearing a hat for the first time in church, to present her for Women’s History Month. I love Mother Gallop and will miss her greatly. My prayers and thoughts are with the family.
Revs. Frank and Theresa Long says
November 30, 2018 at 12:57 amTo God Be the Glory for a life well lived. Mother Gallop was a jewel in God’s kingdom and will be tremendously missed by all who knew her. Her gentle spirit, faithfulness and humbleness are a testament to her example of being a Godly woman. We loved her and will always remember her love and kindness towards us. We join you in celebrating the life of this precious jewel and are grateful for the times that God allowed us to share with her. Praise God for this warrior for Christ!
Barbara Robinson says
November 30, 2018 at 3:20 amDear Family,
I was truly shocked to see this beautiful smile when I went on the website to get information on a co-worker, but I thank God so very much for every time I got to see her smile growing up when she always had a hug for us as she and mama (Sis. Joe) would catch up on whatever the moment called for. You are all in my prayers as you make your transitions to this new life absent of Mother Ella Mae. She has truly been a gift and the legacy of her love will last forever! To God be the Glory
Sylvia Reid Pratt and the Reid Family says
November 30, 2018 at 2:30 pmWe are saddened to hear of the passing of Ms. Mae. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. We enjoyed many happy moments with her throughout the years that will be forever treasured. May happy memories help sustain you during this difficult time.
Vicki Russell Walton says
November 30, 2018 at 4:56 pmSending prayers to the family. Aunt Ella Mae was a true soldier for the Lord. She was a beautiful person and her crown is well deserved.