Ellis H Rece, Jr.

Ellis H. Rece, Jr. of Augusta, GA passed away on Thursday February 22, 2024. He was the loving husband of Maureen Tierney Rece and the son of the late Ellis H. Rece, Sr. and the late Elizabeth Jenkins Rece of Atlanta GA.

Mr. Rece was educated at Druid Hills High School, Atlanta, GA; Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT; the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland and the University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

Ellis Rece lived a life of integrity and service to others. He was a Methodist minister, marched with activists and led movements. He served as Assistant to the President and Academic Dean at Paine College, Augusta, GA. Later he was employed as a Social Worker at Gracewood State School and Hospital, Gracewood, GA and St. Joseph’s Hospice in Augusta, GA. He retired as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor from the Family Counseling Center of the CSRA in Augusta, GA.

He served as a vestry member, outreach committee member, and volunteer for a number of outreach ministries through the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Augusta, GA. He served on the boards of Safe Homes Augusta and the Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries (DCCM), Augusta, GA. He was a weekly volunteer at the DCCM food pantry.

In retirement, he continued to mentor a number of Social Workers to obtain their clinical licenses.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Rece is survived by his children, Julianne M. Rece of Ardsley, PA, William E. Rece and his wife Virginia of Stone Mountain, GA, Kathleen E. Kirby and her husband Robert of Charlotte, NC, his former spouse Marguerite S. Rece of Atlanta, GA; Grandchildren, Graham Kirby, Dillon Mitchell, Arielle Rece and Christian Rece; Great Grandchildren William Mitchell Geating, sister-in-law Dorothy Rece and brothers-in-law William V. Tierney, Jr., Timothy J. Tierney, Michael J. Tierney, Kevin J. Tierney and John R. Tierney as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his brother, Donald A. Rece, his stepmother, Marie H. Rece and grandchildren, Rachel Kirby and Emma Kirby.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 2230 Walton Way, Augusta, GA on May 25, 2024 at 11:00am.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude for the care provided by the staff of the Jud C. Hickey Center, Madison Heights Memory Care and MSA Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries, P.O. Box 2482, Augusta, GA 30903 or the Order of St. Helena, 414 Savannah Barony Drive, North Augusta, SC 29841.