Reverend John E. Fellers, D.D.
The Reverend John E. Fellers, D.D., age 72, died June 13, 2007, due
to complications from a stroke. At the end he was attended by the
wonderful staff of the Neurological Intensive Care Unit at The Methodist
Hospital, his family, and the Reverend Terry Thompson, with prayers and
the Holy Eucharist.
He was born in Brenham, and was reared in Houston. Husband, father,
grandfather, friend, preacher, teacher, mentor, author, and a voice for
inclusivity and tolerance for all, he lived his life to serve God and to
help others.
Dr. Fellers had a distinguished and fruitful ministry spanning five
decades and serving The United Methodist Church in Texas and Louisiana.
He was organizing Pastor of Clear Lake Church in Clear Lake City, Sunset
Church in Pasadena, St. Paul’s Church in Houston, First Church in
Shreveport, and First Church in Alexandria. He also served as President
of Lon Morris College and Executive Director of the Institute for
Religion and Health in Houston. He was adjunct professor of preaching at
the Houston Graduate School of Theology and a member of the adjunct
faculty at the University of St. Thomas, both in Houston.
He was the author of three books Getting to Know a Loving God, Secrets
for Successful Living, and An American Cathedral: A Centennial History
of St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Houston.
He was preceded in death by his parents Russell Cone and Ona Petty
Fellers, son-in-law Charles E. (Chuck) Cary, Jr., and sisters Irma
Ziesemer and Ella Mae Wegner. Survivors include his spouse of 51 years
Bobbie Smith Fellers, daughters Stephanie Cary, Eugenia Wainright and
husband Wilson, Terri Lynne Alley and husband Tony, son Lawrence Russell
Fellers and wife Elizabeth. Nine treasured grandchildren, Charles, Sean
Eugene, and Elizabeth Jo Cary, Mather Wainright, Ainsley and Andrew
Alley, Julia, Kennedy and Russell Fellers, sisters Gladys Rosenbaum and
husband Charlie of Brenham, Emma Jewel German of Temple and Ruby Doris
Harris and husband Sam of Waco, special family of in-laws George and Jan
Smith, Olivia and Eugene Cosby, and Wanda Waits and several treasured
nieces and nephews.
Dr. Fellers was a graduate of Austin High School, Houston, University of
Houston, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, held an honorary
doctorate from Wiley College, and did postgraduate studies at the
University of Edinburgh.
The Reverend Dr. L. James Bankston, along with other Clergy and the
Choir of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston will lead a
Celebration of the Life and Ministry of Dr. Fellers with a service of
Choral Evensong on Wednesday, July 25, at 4 p.m., following a private
rite of committal in St. Paul’s Columbarium,
For those desiring to make memorial contributions, the family suggests
they be made to the Walzel Matching Fund at St. Paul’s Church, 5501 Main
Street, Houston, Texas, 77004, or to a charity of your choice.
Information from The Jacksonville Daily Progress