Patrick Ellis (radio host)

Patrick Connery Ellis (1943 – 2020) was an American radio show host and production director. Ellis hosted "Gospel Spirit" for over forty years on WHUR-FM. Upon his death, he was the longest running on air personality in Washington radio history.[2]

Patrick Ellis
Born(1943-05-30)May 30, 1943
Washington, DC, U.S.
DiedJuly 16, 2020(2020-07-16) (aged 77)
Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
CitizenshipUnited States
OccupationRadio show host
EmployerWHUR-FM
Notable work
"Gospel Spirit"
Notes

Early life and education

Patrick Connery Ellis was born at Freedman's Hospital in Washington, D.C. on May 30, 1943.[1] His mother, Ida Delaney Ellis, was a teacher and his father, Roy Alexander Ellis, was a government labor relations specialist.[1][3] He had one brother, Roy M. Ellis.[3] After attending public schools, Ellis attended Westminster School in Connecticut.[1]

He was raised Episcopalian. Ellis first heard gospel music as a boy, when he walked past a church and heard “drums and tambourines and people singing and shouting.” Relatives took him to see Shirley Caesar and the Caravans at the Apollo Theater, which he cited as the turning point for his love of gospel.[1] As a child, Ellis also listened to local DC radio how DJ Lord Fauntleroy Bandy.[4]

After graduating from Westminster, Ellis attended Howard University for communications. In 1971, he started volunteering at WHUR-FM, Howard's radio station. He became a full-time staff member at the station in 1975. In 1977, he earned his bachelor's degree from Howard.[1]

Career

In 1979, he was asked by program director Jesse Fax to host a gospel show. He started hosting "Sunday Morning Gospel", a four-hour gospel music show every Sunday morning. To learn more about gospel, he visited local religious record stores and bookstores, eavesdropping on customers talking about music.[1]

Ellis provided what he called a "spiritual transfusion during the week" for churchgoers. During the show, Ellis also shared his own personal journey with faith and shared announcements from local nonprofits and churches. He also hosted fundraisers, including fundraisers to feed the hungry, domestic violence victims, and cancer patient care.[1]

In 1986, he became production director of WHUR-FM.[1] By 1989, the radio show, now called "Gospel Spirit," averaged 64,000 listeners weekly and was regularly ranked as the most popular show at the station.[1][5] That year, an anniversary party was held with BeBe and CeCe Winans and the Barrett Sisters performing and Jesse Jackson, Del. Walter Fauntroy and Marion Barry in attendance.[1]

In 1999, Ellis was honored with a proclamation for his work by Prince George's County, Maryland.[6]

In June 2020, Ellis finished building his at-home studio in Annapolis. He hosted his last shows of "Gospel Spirit" at his home studio before his death in July 2020.[5] One of Ellis' favorite gospel songs was "Take Away" by Yolanda Adams and a revival piece by Luther Barnes.[1]

Personal life and death

Ellis was married four times. He divorced his first three wives (Maxine Lindsey, Marcia Brown and Clara Patterson). He had a daughter with Maxine Lindsey, Susan Cooper, and a second daughter, Adina Ellis Cato, with Marcia Brown.[1] In 1999, he married Angela Green and lived in Mitchellville, Maryland.[1][6]

In June 2020, Ellis was hospitalized with covid-19.[2] He died at a hospital in Annapolis, Maryland, of complications from covid-19 on July 16, 2020.[1]

gollark: Well, I have *time* to concentrate on things loads now.
gollark: Those colourless green ideas sure do love sleeping furiously!
gollark: What?
gollark: And also semantically meaningful ones, no colourless green ideas sleeping furiously.
gollark: ↑

References
  1. Smith, Harrison (17 July 2020). "Patrick Ellis, popular D.C. gospel broadcaster, dies at 77 of coronavirus complications". Washington Post. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  2. "96.3 WHUR GOSPEL HOST PATRICK ELLIS DIES OF COVID-19". Howard Newsroom. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  3. "Patrick Ellis Obituary". Legacy. The Washington Post. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  4. Anderson, Hans (8 November 2013). "Remembering Legendary Shaw DJ Lord Fauntleroy Bandy". WAMU. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  5. Harris, Hamil (23 July 2020). "Patrick Ellis: The Voice That Soothed D.C. for Decades". The Washington Informer. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  6. Grant, Lyndia (11 December 2009). "30 years of radio gospel for Ellis". The Washington Times. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
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