A homegoing service for Mrs. Carrie Bell Ellis-Ransom of Tampa, Florida who passed away on Monday, July 16, 2018 will be held on Saturday, July 28th, 11:00 a.m. at St. John Cathedral Church, 3401 E. 25th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605. Pastor Newkirk with Rev. Edward Green of St. Paul AME Church, officiating. The interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Carrie Bell Ellis-Ransom was born on August 20, 1923 in Safety Harbor, Florida to Amos Ellis and Beatrice Ward. She was raised by her grandparents Thomas "Tom" and Carrie Ellis. Her mother preceded her when she was 3 years old passing in the 1926 Okeechobee Hurricane, where thousands of others died and her father died shortly afterward. She was educated in the Pinellas County Schools. Her grandparents recognized early on that she had a gift from God to play the piano. They bought her a piano and at the inquisitive age of 9, she began to play the piano by ear. She utilized that God-Given gift beginning at the age of 12 by playing the piano at her community church. In 1939, Carrie married Rufus Stroud. Later, she married Peter Ransom, Sr. and together in 1957, they built a home in Keystone to raise their nine children. They developed a vegetable farm and raised animals. As a highly acclaimed pianist throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, she played the piano for over 78 years. Sister Ransom used her talents to glorify God and began playing for church services at her then home church, St. John Missionary Baptist Church (currently St. John Cathedral) in the late 60's where she was a member for 25 years. Sister Ransom had a passion for caring for others and had a successful career in nursing until she retired. Her calling continued as a pianist until her final retirement at the age of 91 with her current home church, St. Paul AME Church, Safety, Harbor, FL. She was a joyful soul, was always kind hearted and loved all people. She was preceded in death by: her husband of 53 years, Peter Ransom; 2 sons, George Stroud, Sr. and Ephriam Ransom, Sr. Her memories will be cherished by: 4 daughters, Pauline Hall, Beta Ransom, Sophia Kelly (Al) and Omega Carolyn Johnson (Arnold); 3 sons, Cleve Ransom, Alpha Peter Ransom, Jimmy Ransom; 19 grandchildren, Blaine Stroud, George Stroud, Jr. (Nikki), Sharon Ransom, Ephriam Ransom, Jr. (Cindy), Valarie Ransom, Philip Ransom, Mario Ransom, Sybil McNeil (Aaron), Sylvester Hall, Vanessa Ransom, Alphia Ransom, Judy Ransom, Anthony, Anthony Irvin, Jennifer Ivory, Rennae Ransom, Rennix Ransom, Michael Gilbert, Raven McClure (Eric), Frances McDowell (Renzo), Ebony Ransom (Denim), Labranne Matthew McQuay, David Spring (Nerissa), Arnold Johnson, Jr., Laurin Williams, Kahlil Hall, Courtney Johnson; and a host of great and great-great grandchildren, special cousins: Florida Maxwell; Ellis family and Williams family members; special friends: Mary Brown, Dr. Rose Campbell and Jim May; sons-in-law, Eugene McDowell and Arnold Johnson. The visitation will be held on Friday, July 27th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service.

Visitation
The Chapel of Hope Aikens Funeral Home Chapel
Friday, July 27, 2018
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
2708 E Dr. MLK Jr.
Tampa, Florida 33610

Funeral Service
St. John Cathedral Church
Saturday, July 28, 2018
11:00 AM
3401 E. 25th Av
Tampa, FL 33605