Ellis E. Capers

Ellis E. Capers, affectionately called “Dookie,” was born in Whitfield, Alabama on March 22, 1936. He was the youngest son of the children born to Samuel Capers, a sharecropper, and Brunette Bernice Capers, a seamstress. As a youth, he attended Mt. Valley A.M.E Church, and accepted Christ later in life. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting with his favorite gun and was considered an excellent shooter. He also enjoyed reading and collecting comic books, even into his early adult life. Taking care of his first car and his horse named Bullet were also two of his most treasured things to do. After leaving Alabama and moving to Elyria, Ohio, Ellis found initial employment at a local foundry for several years and later at General Motors. After 30 years, he retired as a lift driver and an active member of the UAW. Ellis loved to compete. For years he was a revered bowler with a history of bowling perfect games. He bowled in numerous bowling leagues and participated in countless tournaments throughout Ohio—breaking records and adding countless trophies to his trophy cases. Though he was approached to consider the professional bowling circuit, he politely declined and resolved to keep bowling as a hobby and not a profession. This love for competition spilled over into the game of Bid Wiz, also called Bid Whist. He later shifted his attention toward his favorite game Password, which he played every Friday night with his wife Johnnie, sister Lois and brother-in-law Billie. Shooting pool with his family was another favorite pastime and on Sundays, checkers was his game of choice. In short, he was a big kid at heart, a heart that also loved the Cleveland Browns. Cloaked in his Browns blanket, he watched every game with great expectation, as if he was in the stadium seats with other Browns fans. Regardless of the game's outcome, he remained a loyal fan. After a brief illness, Ellis peacefully and quietly transitioned on Friday, December 17, 2021, under the care of New Life Hospice. At the time of his death, Ellis was survived by his wife Johnnie Capers, who passed on December 21, 2021; daughters Lasonya and Sherry, both of Cleveland, Ohio and Rosalee, of Alabama; sisters Lois L. Folmar ((Billie), Shirley A. Allen (Willie) and Annie P. Jones (Jerry), all of Lorain; Evang. Gertrude R. Cooper, Wanda J. Capers and Rosemary Capers, all of Elyria; brother Rev. Jeffrey L. Capers (Dana), all of Elyria; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.. In addition to his son Roger Butler and daughter Teresa Malik, he was preceded in death by his father Samuel Capers and mother Brunette Bernice (Mann) Capers; stepmother Rosie (Taylor) Capers; two brothers, Willie Hollis and Joe Wallace Capers, and two sisters, Bertha L. Noble and Catherine Capers. A viewing will be held Tuesday, December 28, from 12 Noon until the time of a private family service at 1PM at Brown-Robinson Funeral Home. Burial will be at Ridge Hill Memorial Park Cemetery. Social distancing and wearing a mask are required.