Columbus Benjamin Ellis

May 2, 1935 — May 24, 2024

Covington, Louisiana

Columbus Benjamin “Lum” Ellis, 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Covington, Louisiana on Friday, May 24, 2024. Lum was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on May 2, 1935 to Columbus Wilson Ellis Sr. and Evelyn Ila Benson Ellis. He grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, graduating from Istrouma High School. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Louisiana College, he attended seminary in New Orleans. Upon leaving the ministry, Lum received his Doctorate from Louisiana State University.

In 1970 Lum relocated to Natchitoches, Louisiana. While in Natchitoches, he was a professor of Sociology and Assistant to the President at Northwestern State University until 1978 when he relocated to the New Orleans area where he was Vice President of Student Affairs at Delgado
Community College until his retirement in 1996.

Always active in each community in which he lived, Lum was a member of Kiwanis International for 62 years, a volunteer at Oschner Medical Center in New Orleans, and served as President of the Chamber of Commerce in Natchitoches. Together with his wife of 48 years, Donna, Lum also
owned and operated Your Daily Bread bakery in the Garden District of New Orleans, a tour company in Natchitoches, and an RV park with restaurant and evening entertainment in St. Joe, Arkansas Lum was an outgoing man, who never met a stranger. He will be remembered fondly by family, friends, and former students as a strong, enthusiastic, and compassionate leader. He brought the sunshine.

Lum is survived by his wife, Donna Jeanne Logue Ellis; children, Terri Ellis Cunningham (Joe), Natchitoches; Cherie Martin McCann (Jim); Becki Lynn Martin; 10 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, sisters Rebecca Ellis Griffith and Geneva Ellis Van Lear, and brothers C.W. Ellis, Jr., James K. Ellis, and Buster R. Ellis.

The family will receive visitors from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Kenner, Louisiana, after which a memorial service will be held from 11:00 a.m.-noon. A reception following the service will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Columbus Benjamin Ellis, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

Christ The King Lutheran Church

1001 West Esplanade, Kenner, LA 70065

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Memorial Service