Berl David Elliott (1931-2011)

Berl David Elliott was born on September 3rd, 1931, in Roby, Texas to Berlin Frances Elliott and Opal Irene Robbins.

Although his legal name was Berl, he usually went by his middle name of David, except family who called him "Sonny"

When he was ___, the family moved to Alice, Texas, where he attended high school.

He was the second oldest of four siblings - Jeanette Irene, Robert, and William

After high school, he decided to enter the ministry, enrolling at the University of Corpus Cristi in 195_. While there, he met and started dating Betty Ruth Nelson, a fellow student, who was studying music.

He and Betty married in 195_ at ____, Texas.

Following graduation from UCC, he enrolled at the Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity in ___.

While in school in Fort Worth, his son David Wayne was born.

When David was a newborn, he worked for a short period of time (2-3 months) at Convair as a safety monitor, checking for contamination from the radioactive materials they were using in some of their aircraft.

After graduation, he pastored at _____, Texas. The family eventually moved to Conroe, Texas, when David was about 6, where he pastored at _____ Baptist of Conroe for ___ years.

In this time, his son Warren Lee was born, when they lived in Lovelady, and daughter Jeanene was born while they were in Grangerland.

After he left the church at Conroe, they moved to Van Vleck, Texas, where they would stay for ___ years, until 1968. He celebrated 10 years at Hull in 1978.

He eventually left Van Vleck, and they moved to Hull, Texas, pastoring at the First Baptist Church of Hull, where he would stay until 1981 (?).

Once he left the church in Hull, they would move to Highlands, Texas, where he was the minister at Second Baptist Church of Highlands. He would be there for a number of year, until his retirement in ____.

After retirement, he would guest pastor at churches in the Houston area for a number of years.

He passed away on March 11th, 2011, after an extended illness.

Other Employment

In addition to his full time job of being a minister, he would also perform several side jobs on a regular basis:

School bus driver

He drove a bus on school trips during his time as a student at UCC, as well for the Van Vleck school district, and after retiring from Second Baptist in Highlands.

Cattle Herding

He was an avid horseback rider, probably one of the last "Cowboy Preachers". He usually had a horse, and would often perform cattle herding for ranchers in the areas they lived in, including Van Vleck. During his time in Hull he would herd cattle during roundup season for Bill Daniel, a lawyer, politician, actor, and rancher that was a friend of his.

Places Lived

Roby, Texas

Alice, Texas

Conroe, Texas - David attended kindergarten and first grade here

Lovelady, Texas - listed as living here May 3rd, 1957 when his father BF Elliott died

Grangerland, Texas - Jeanene was born here in 1961

Van Vleck, Texas

Hull, Texas

Highlands, Texas

• 104 Faith Street
• 1205 Battlebell

Horses Owned

Suzie

Ajax

Lady

Obituary

Obituary was written by his son, David Elliott.

Rev. Berl David Elliott passed away on Tuesday March 15, 2011. Born September 3, 1931, he was known as "Sonny" to family, "David" to friends, and "Preacher" to generations of people in communities across East and South Texas. He had devoted his life to supporting his family, congregants, and community members. While Rev. Elliott will be missed here among us, we celebrate his going forward in life to be with his Lord.

The service of remembrance will be held at First Baptist Church of Highlands TX on Friday March 18, 2011, at 10:00 am. Interment will follow, and a reception will be held at the church afterward. Deacons of the church will serve as pallbearers.

Rev. Elliott was a real Texas cowboy, growing up on farms and ranches and working on a ranch as a young man. He owned and rode horses most of his life and stayed close to horses, cattle, and cattlemen out of sheer love of the life. He enjoyed family time, watching sports and movies, telling stories, and listening to country music, favoring Johnny Cash most of all.

Rev. Elliott was preceded in death by his sister Janet Diltz. He is survived by his wife, Betty Ruth Elliott; his brothers Bob and Bill; children David Elliott, Warren Elliott, Jeanene Ickes, and son-in-law Jerry Ickes; 4 grandchildren – John Elliott and wife Heather, Jana Kirksey and husband Jonathan, Joey Ickes and wife Sierra, and Alex Smith; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters- and brothers-in-law; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends.

Services have been entrusted to Sterling ~ White Funeral Home & Cemetery, 11011 Crosby Lynchburg Road, Highlands, Texas 77562. To send the family condolences please visit www.sterlingwhite.com

Links

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67030490/berl_david-elliott