Jerry and Macel Falwell with Kitty and Bill Ellis pose for a picture at a meeting of National Religious Broadcasters in Washington, D.C., some time around 1984.

Area residents share memories of Jerry Falwell

By Charlotte Ferrell Smith
Daily Mail staff
May 17, 2007

West Virginians who knew Jerry Falwell describe him as a godly man with strong convictions as well as a sense of humor and a generous nature.

"I have nothing negative to say about Jerry Falwell," said Bill Ellis of Scott Depot. "I have known him 40 years. He was always a loving, kind, forgiving person. If he thought he was wrong he would admit his mistakes. If he was right, he backed it up with the word of God."

Falwell, the controversial conservative and televangelist, died Tuesday of heart failure. He was 73. Ellis, who attends Teays Valley Church of God, is former state coordinator for the Church of God in West Virginia. He has been an active pastor and evangelist, traveling throughout the world as a speaker. He has also been active in religious broadcasting, working as a staff member for the annual convention of National Religious Broadcasters.

As he recalls, he first met Falwell and his wife, Macel, 40 years ago at a meeting of the National Religious Broadcasters in Washington, D.C.

"That is the first time that crops out in my mind," he said.

Macel Pate Falwell grew up in West Virginia near Alum Creek, said Ellis, who was raised in the Cabin Creek area. He said they had a great time comparing the respective spots where they lived as kids.

"She is a lovely lady and a tremendous pianist," Ellis said. "She played many years at Thomas Road Baptist Church (in Lynchburg). She taught at Liberty University. I think she is a beautiful lady who stood by Jerry all these years."

The Falwells recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary.

Jerry Falwell was born Aug. 11, 1933, in Lynchburg, Va., and died this week in his office at Liberty University. In 1956, he founded Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg with about 35 adults at the first meeting. Since then membership has grown to more than 24,000.

In 1971, Falwell founded Lynchburg Bible College, now Liberty University.

Ellis has been invited to the university as a guest and has led chapel prayer there. He has also met with Falwell at various events and venues throughout the years. They have also stayed in touch through correspondence and by phone.

"My wife, Kitty, and I like him very much," Ellis said. "We knew him well. He has shown faithfulness to the word of God. Despite things that I have heard he said that were not particularly nice, I have never heard him say anything unkind about anyone.

"I have known people who needed help desperately and he helped them spiritually and with money," he said. "He was a man of overwhelming generosity. Once Jerry Falwell was your friend, he was always your friend."

The Falwells had two sons, lawyer Jerry Jr. and pastor Jonathon, and a daughter, Jeannie, a surgeon.

Jerry Falwell performed the marriage ceremony for Melanie and Gerry White on Aug. 22, 1987, at Lynchburg's Thomas Road Baptist Church, which Falwell founded. Gerry is now pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Hurricane. Melanie is administrator and principal of Lighthouse Christian Academy and Day Care Center.

Both are graduates of Liberty University. Gerry once taught there and was a pastor on staff at Thomas Road Baptist. Melanie previously taught at Lynchburg Christian Academy. "We want everyone to know there was more to him than Moral Majority political leader," Melanie said. "We viewed him as pastor. He was never too busy or too important to make hospital visits, remember your name, marry students or take care of family situations."

She said he was a generous man who often helped the less fortunate.

"I would say my husband and I considered him the ultimate pastor," she said. "It will be hard to find someone to fill his shoes. I doubt if anyone will do it like he did. He was a great visionary."