Sidney Lee Ellis

Sidney Lee Rauls Ellis was born on May 18, 1947, to Johnie and Hattie Rauls in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the oldest of 4 children. Out of her union with Errol Elis, she had one daughter, Torria Ellis- Dugar. As a child, she attended the First Baptist Church of Cherry Hill. Prior to her relocation to Atlanta, GA, Sidney was an active member of Saint Phillips Baptist Church. While in Atlanta, she attended Berean Christian Church. Leading by example, Sidney instilled the importance of education in her children and grandchildren. She is a proud graduate of Edmonson High School. After high school, she obtained a B.S. in Social Work from Morgan State University followed by a Master's Degree from Howard University. She dedicated over 30 years of her life to public service as social worker for Department of Social Services. Even after her retirement, she continued to work independently as a social worker. To know Sidney was to love her. Her personality filled the room with laughter and joy wherever she went. In all of her travels, Sidney never met a stranger. She made lifelong friends wherever she went. Sidney loved all of the arts. She enjoyed reading books with her book club. She loved going to museums, plays on Broadway and live concerts. Her two favorite artists were James Brown and Micheal Jackson. In addition, she loved to support and celebrate the accomplishments of all of her adopted daughters, sons, nieces, and nephews. A concert. She was there. A graduation. She was there. A retirement party. She was there. Support was not just a verb. It was an act of love for her. She enjoyed showing up for the people around her. People will often remember Sidney for her loving personality, her fashionable glasses, and ornate hats. Her capacity for loving others was boundless. Sidney is preceded in death by her parents, Johnie and Hattie Rauls and her brothers, Kenneth Rauls and Johnie Rauls. To mourn, she leaves her daughter, Torria Ellis-Dugar (Alexander Dugar), her grandsons (Parker Dugar, Connor Dugar) and her sister (Deborah Wallace) as well as an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Special friends include Edith Bradley, Delores Beaman, Shirlene Colbert, and Carmella Durrah.

Tributes

Sidney Lee Ellis

May 18, 1947 - October 6, 2025