Claudie Alfonza Ellis (known as Fonza to family and friends) was the second oldest son of seven children he was born on June 28, 1956, to Deacon Claudie Ellis, Sr., and Missionary Annie Bell Ellis.
During his teenage years, Alfonza was passionate about playing the bass guitar for the choir and worship team at Cliffwood Community Church of Christ in Cliffwood, NJ. The late Bishop James H. Clark provided Alfonza with his musical training. Following his graduation from Monmouth Regional High School, Alfonza pursued a career as an independent contractor in the field of carpeting and flooring installation, in which he excelled and worked as an independent contractor for over 25 years. Sadly, Alfonza passed away after retiring. He will be fondly remembered for his lively and playful personality, as he always enjoyed making others laugh.
Alfonza (67) passed away on August 13, 2023, at his home in Bladenboro, North Carolina.
He is preceded in death by his father, Deacon Claudie Ellis, Sr., his mother Missionary Annie Bell Ellis, and one brother, Cleveland Ellis.
He leaves to celebrate his memory, his son Marc Dennis; sisters Brenda Nicholson (John), Gwen Lawrence (John), Angela Ellis, and Jennifer Ellis-Jackson; brother Michael Ellis (Elizabeth); stepmother Iwilla Ellis; stepsister Dean; one Aunt Zenobia Harris; two grandchildren Marc Jr. and Kayla; twenty-one nieces and nephews; a special cousin/sister Sheryon, and a host of cousins and friends, that will miss him dearly.
