Ermalou M. Roller

Rev. Ermalou McDuffie Roller, 77, of Lisle, IL, passed away after a four year battle with ovarian cancer on March 22, 2017. She is survived by two brothers, Cliff McDuffie and John McDuffie; her sons Stan Roller, Jr. and Michael Roller, her daughter Kathleen Roller, grandson Michael Drapak and granddaughters Jacqueline Roller, Julia Roller, Shannon Harkin and McKenna Harkin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Dr. Charles Ellzey, brother Ralph McDuffie, and sisters Joan McDuffie and Clarice Ralston. Rev. Roller retired in 2002 after 25 years in ministry as a pastor, former district superintendent, and former Dean of the Cabinet of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. During her time in ministry she served as pastor at Yorkhouse United Methodist Church in Waukegan, Illinois, Christ United Methodist Church in Elmhurst, Illinois and St.Andrews United Methodist Church in Homewood, Illinois. She received her Bachelors of Education degree from Florida State University in 1961 and her Masters of Divinity Degree from Garett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1979. Prior to her career in ministry she taught elementary school in Florida for five years. She married the love of her life, The Rev. Dr. Charles H. Ellzey in 1978 and enjoyed 23 years together until his death Thanksgiving Eve 2001. She was passionate about her career in ministry and advocated for many causes she believed in deeply, including equal rights for women and the full inclusion of all people in the United Methodist church. She had a love of books and writing and pursued those interests in many ways, including writing a musical and authoring a book. The caring and inspirational impact she has made on so many people’s lives will be her lasting legacy. Please join us as we celebrate the life of this amazing woman at Downers Grove United Methodist Church on April 1 st at 10:30 AM. Donations in her memory may be made to the Charles H. Ellzey Scholarship at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.