Marjorie Helen Tillman Gellos

Marjorie Helen Tillman Gellos was born September 12, 1930, in Ames, Iowa, to Walter and Elsie Tillman. At the age of five, the family moved to eastern Iowa to the town of DeWitt, and that is where she spent her childhood. During her elementary and high school years, she was active in church and learned to play the piano and clarinet. At the beginning of her junior year in high school, her parents sensed the need of Christian education and enrolled her at Bob Jones Academy in Cleveland, Tennessee. She graduated from high school and went back home, but then returned to Bob Jones College in Greenville, South Carolina, and in 1954, finished her degree in education. Upon graduation, it was her desire to be involved in the ministry, and to participate in evangelistic good news clubs. Her goals were realized when she learned of a new Christian Day school starting in Pensacola where she could be active in Christian education as well as participate in evangelistic ministries. She became one of the first of three teachers in the fall of 1954 where she taught first grade. In February of 1956, she was set up on a date with Jack Gellos at a church Valentine banquet and personally thought that this was a one-and-done date. He came to faith in Christ the next month and began to pursue a relationship. Marjorie thought the relationship was over, but Jack was persistent and with the leading of God they were married the following December 15th. Their son Mike was born the following October, and Jackie 2 years later in 1959. During those early years, she was active with weekly Good News Clubs and summertime 5-day clubs in her home as an evangelistic effort to reach boys and girls in her neighborhood for Jesus Christ. In 1966 she taught at Weiss elementary, and then in 1969 she returned to teach kindergarten at Pensacola Christian. In February of 1972 the Lord gave her a son, Jonathan Walter, who due to a heart defect, went to be with Jesus when he was 10 days old. In 1979, she moved to the assembly area of the Abeka Book print shop, and for the next 17 years she had a ministry to scores of students and staff with whom she worked. It was also during this time that they had a special ministry with hundreds of PCC students through the “campus parents” program. Only the Lord knows how many dozens of cookies and notes of encouragement were given to needy college students during those years. Years after their retirement from PCC, Christmas cards still come from all over the country from former campus kids. After retirement in 1996, they spent several summers in Casper, Wyoming, with James and Jackie and their children. She also enjoyed escorting for outside contractors at the college and being a light for Jesus. Even during her retirement years, she had a desire to minister, by sharing truth and always trying to be an encouragement. For the past 11 years, she was able to work with Bible Time Ministries which was a correspondence course for students, many of whom were in prison. In February of 2019 she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was a faithful servant, faithful wife, and loving mother and grandmother till the end. She was preceded in death first of all by her loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who through His life, death and resurrection took the sting of death from all who place their trust completely in Him. In this life, she was preceded by her 10 day old son Jonathan, in 1972; and by her parents in 1990. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Jack; son Mike (Jill) of Pensacola; daughter Jackie (James) Horton of Columbus, GA; 7 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to missionaries in Papua New Guinea, Bill and Lori Smith c/o ABWE, Harrisburg, PA Pallbearers will be Brent Gellos, Aaron Gellos, Jared Gellos, Tyler Gellos, Zac Horton and Dean Bernstrom. Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Schwalbe and John Balentine. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at the funeral home at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor James Horton officiating. Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Pkwy, is in charge of the arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com

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Marjorie Helen Tillman Gellos

September 12, 1930 - October 11, 2019