James Marcus "Mark" Ely

A Homegoing Celebration for James Marcus Ely, 78, of Cleburne, Texas will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Friday, November 22, 2024 at Cleburne Bible Church, 920 N. Nolan River Rd in Cleburne. Dr. David denHartog, Scott Whitson Director of Missions for Southwest Metroplex Baptist Association, and Pastor Jesus Escamilla who is Pastor of San Gabriel Lutheran Church, Alvarado and a Chaplain with Pastoral Care at Texas Health Cleburne Hospital will be leading the service.

James Marcus Ely left his earthly vessel and went to be with Jesus on Thursday, November 1, 2024. Mark was born August 1, 1946 in Mobile, Alabama to Melvin Ely and Mavia Jean Hale Ely. He was the second of six siblings: Paul (Sylvia), Ray (Patricia), Janet, Anita (Steve) and Jeri (Brian). He was pre-deceased by his parents, Melvin and Jean, and brother, Paul.

Mark grew up in Mobile and on a farm at Hurley, Mississippi, graduating in 1964 from East Central High School, Hurley. He then attended Hinds Junior College in Jackson, MS until the family relocated to Midwest City, Oklahoma in 1965. He received a BA in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1973. He received a Master of Divinity and a Master of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas in 1987.

Mark and Martha (Payne) were married July 1, 1967 in Columbus, Georgia, settling in Midwest City, Oklahoma where he was employed at Tinker Air Force Base while finishing college. Mark had a heart for ministry and served God in Christian ministry for 54 years. He loved sharing the gospel and seeing people trust Jesus as Savior. He pastored Sparks Baptist Church, Sparks, OK; Rattan Baptist Church, Rattan, OK; First Baptist Church, Waynoka, OK; Trinity Baptist Church, Seminole, OK; First Baptist Church, Kellyville, OK; College Heights Baptist Church, Cleburne, TX. He loved the people of each church body God led him to and loved serving alongside those people in outreach, missions and ministry. He served in many capacities over the years through State and Associational Missions. He also served through Chaplain Ministry with the Cleburne Police Department, Cleburne Fire Department, Victim Relief Ministries of Johnson County and Pastoral Care Ministry of Texas Health Harris Cleburne Hospital. He had great respect and admiration for those in Law Enforcement and public safety, whether with the police department or the fire department. He also respected, admired and appreciated the service of those in the medical profession at the Cleburne hospital and elsewhere. He valued the friendships he developed in each place of service.

He was a DEVOTED fan of the Oklahoma Sooners and also a fan of the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren and spending time with them. He also loved his extended family and enjoyed family reunions with siblings and with the family he became a beloved part of when marrying his wife. He loved golfing, dominoes and other games with family and friends.

He leaves a very big hole filled with wonderful memories in the hearts of those who love him and miss him dearly: wife Martha, son Marcus Alan Ely, daughter Kristi Lee Ely Green (Paul), grandchildren Marlee Noelle, Ethan Nathanael, Sidney Elyse and Jesse Zane; his own family of siblings, nieces and nephews, and his second family of siblings, nieces, and nephews, and many who have become like family to him in the places where he served and ministered in Jesus' Name.

The family requests no plants or flowers. Mark's preference was that any contributions be given to the Oklahoma Baptist University, Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry, 500 W. University Street, Shawnee, OK 74804

If you cannot attend the service in person it will be live streamed at http://cleburnebible.org/

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7-8