On June 15, 1960 in Paterson, NJ in the beauty of a day never before given by God and consumed forever in eternity, Claude and Bertha Ellis were blessed with the birth of their sixth child a beautiful bouncing baby boy who they named Thurman Stephen. He was called from this world to labor to answer God's call and receive his reward at his home on Saturday, January 14, 2012 after a long battle with illness. Never giving up on life of faith in God despite his illness he remained optimistic about life and brought joy to his family and all the lives he touched. Thurman was baptized and became a member of Calvary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Albert P. Rowe. Of eleven children Thurman was one of three siblings born with cerebral palsy. He attended and was a product of the Paterson Public School system graduating from Wayne Vocational Tech High School June 1980. While in elementary school he was evaluated due to he physical disability and determined to be more than a "special needs child", the test results determined he was moderately gifted. Brother Ellis as a child was an active member in Sunday school, Calvary' after schools programs and Calvary's Vacation Bible School, and Calvary Baptist Summer Youth programs. Thurman was an active participant in the Passaic County Elks Adult Training Center Program for more than 15 years, where he built a special bond with Lynn, all of staff members and students. Thurman was predeceased by his parents the late Claude H. and Bertha "Sarah" (Lindsay) Ellis, brothers, Steven Craig and Charles Paul Ellis, sister, Juanita Ellis, brother-in-law, Governor Roscoe Watson, great-niece, Montana James. He leaves to cherish in memory his life of strength and courage bothers, Claude, Warren and Kim Ellis, adopted sister, Madeline Mungion and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.