Dr. Elinor E. Montgomery's Obituary
On Sunday morning, April 28, 2015, Dr. Elinor Elizabeth Montgomery peacefully transitioned into Eternity at the age of 83 with family and loved ones by her side. Her death came only five months after the death of her husband of 62 years, Bishop Curtis E. Montgomery.
Elinor was born on May 1, 1932 in Evanston, Illinois, the 4th of 7th children and eldest daughter of James & Clara (nee Leslie) Miles. At the age of 16, Elinor lost her mother; Clara, and after her passing, her father would remarry to Esther (nee Clemons) Miles and to that union she was blessed with seven additional siblings.
In 1948, she met Curtis Montgomery at Englewood High School in Chicago and after a multi-year courtship they were married on September 13, 1952. To this union was born seven sons and three daughters. After ending a tour with the US Army during the Korean War, Curtis & Elinor settled in Seattle in 1954 and then moved to Tacoma in 1959 where they established Greater Christ Temple Church.
Throughout her life, Elinor served faithfully and with grace and a noted elegance in every area where she was called. Her most enduring calling was that of a wife and mother. Yet, she was also a pastor’s wife – which meant serving in multiple capacities in the church including the church’s General Secretary for over 30 years. She oversaw the Music Department and served as Christian Education Director as well as serving on the church’s Board of Directors. Yet, despite all this, she found the time, energy and drive to complete her Doctorate in Ministries from the University of Grace & Truth in Cincinnati, OH in 1992 and also served as the Dean of Education for the Washington Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows. She also was a mentor, counselor and spiritual influence to countless women and men alike throughout the United States and abroad.
Preceding her in death is her husband of 62 years, Bishop Curtis E. Montgomery; her parents, James & Clara Miles; two sons, David Montgomery and Phillip Montgomery; five siblings, Mildred Miles Fuller, James Miles, Emmitt Miles, Loretta Gibson, Barbara Johnson and Elmer Miles. Left to mourn her passing are her children: Debra Griffin, Michael Montgomery, Sharon Montgomery Parchia, Lynnda Escalante, Daniel (Cheryl) Montgomery, Stephen Montgomery, John (Tiffany) Montgomery (Frisco, TX) & Enoch Montgomery. She also leaves eight siblings: Leslie (Roberta) Miles (New Rochelle, NY), Rose Thomas (Capitol Heights, MD), Catherine Jordan, Walter (Patricia) Miles, (Dallas, TX), Vera Howse (Chicago, IL), Esther Frierson (Chicago, IL), and Kenneth (Lynn) Miles (Waukegan, IL). She also leaves twenty-two grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, a daughter-in-love, Arclancia Montgomery, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, spiritual sons and daughters, friends, colleagues and loved ones.
A public viewing for Dr. Elinor Montgomery will be held Monday, October 5th from 12:00 to 7:00 PM at Greater Christ Temple Church; 1926 South “G” Street; Tacoma. A Public Homegoing Service will be held Tuesday, October 6th at 2:00 PM at Life Center Tacoma Assembly of God Church; 1717 South Union Ave.; Tacoma, WA. The Tuesday service will stream live at livestream.lifecentertacoma.com/
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