Herman J. Ellis was born on March 5, 1941, to Herman and Odessa Mae Ellis of Brunswick
Heights, now known as Piscataway, New Jersey. He was the seventh of their 13 children. When
he was 11 years old, his family lost their father; Herman demonstrated responsibility beyond
his years.
Herman made lifelong friends as a student at Holmes Marshall Grammar School, New Market
School, and Roosevelt Junior High School. He graduated from New Brunswick High School,
where he was a halfback on the football team and a sprinter on the track team.
Herman worked for several contractors as a laborer and became knowledgeable about
carpentry. During the Vietnam War, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he used
his carpentry skills as a Specialist Fourth Class.
Following his tour of duty, he took a step of faith and started Herman Ellis Building Contractors,
Inc. He completed a home study course in blueprint reading and learned to run his business, as
he would say, “by trial and error.” He trusted God through every challenge and always gave
credit to God when his work was fruitful. He became an accomplished builder and remodeler
with many successful projects throughout Central Jersey, including three churches.
In 1970, Herman had the honor of completing the new building for his home church, Zion Hill
Baptist Church of Piscataway. Throughout his life, he contributed to the growth of the church as
an usher, trustee, and deacon, and eventually as chairperson of the Deacons Ministry for 20
years. He also served as First Vice President of the Baptist Deacons’ Alliance of Central New
Jersey and was a member of the New Jersey State Baptist Deacons’ Convention, the Laymen’s
Movement of the General Baptist Convention of New Jersey, and the National Baptist Deacons’
Convention of America.
A diligent student of the Bible, he graduated from the Howard E. Anderson School of Divinity in
Morristown. He faithfully attended the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education and
earned a Master Teacher certificate. Herman served his church as a teacher, Superintendent of
the Sunday School, and Director of Christian Education for many years. In addition, he joyfully
sang in the Zion Hill Baptist Church mass choir and supported many other church ministries.
Herman was a dedicated member and officer of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 16,
Somerville. He believed in veterans helping veterans and volunteered his time to serve others.
In 1981, Herman married Martha Bannister in the church building he had constructed. They
built their home together and were inseparable partners in life and in service.
While he enjoyed traveling with his wife, Martha, Herman was firmly rooted at home and with
the people he loved. Whether he was rising early to make waffles for breakfast, grilling at a
family reunion he worked to organize, or frying a turkey outside in the cold for a holiday meal,
he made sure everyone around him was provided for. He showed up to every event with his
camera, ready to share photos. He proudly demonstrated the two-tier model train line he built
at home. Herman was well known as a trustworthy, fair, and steadfast man of faith.
During his last two years, Herman faced daunting health challenges. Through it all, he drew on
his deep faith and sought to fulfill God’s purpose for each day he was given.
Herman was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Mountrey, Anna, Lillian, Mary, and
Priscilla; and brother Horace. His legacy is a blessing to his beloved wife, Martha; brothers Nick
(Marge), George (Ramona), Raymond (Linda), and Robert; sisters Rachel and Kathleen; and
numerous family members, dear friends, church family, and neighbors.