Teresa Ann Ely, 65

Teresa Ann Ely, age 65, of Dellwood, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Emanuel Medical Center. Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 29, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Chapman Funeral Home with Reverends Chris Young and Jose Alicea officiating. Interment followed at Eastbrook Cemetery & Mausoleum with graveside officiated by Elder Ronnie Young.

Family received friends Monday, September 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home.

Serving as pallbearers was her grandsons, Billy Joe Scarboro, Hunter Scarboro, Phillip Young, Ashton Johnson, Cason Johnson, Critty Edenfield, Jason Corbitt, Bowyn Harvey and Banks Harvey.

Teresa was born September 22, 1961, in Dudley, to the late Felton Doyle Colter and Alma M. Williams King. She had a true gift for teaching, and it was one of the great passions of her life. Teresa taught at Pentecostal Lighthouse Christian School from 1991 until 2001, where she poured herself into the lives of her students and took great joy in helping them learn and grow.

Teresa was a faithful member of Pentecostal Lighthouse Church for 41 years, and her love for teaching extended far beyond the classroom and into her church. Beginning in the early 1980s, Teresa faithfully served as a Sunday school teacher for many years, continuing until the later years of her life when illness made it difficult for her to do so. While she loved teaching school, teaching others about Jesus—and living her life as an example of the faith she taught—was at the heart of who she was. She found great joy in sharing her faith with others and devoted much of her life to doing so.

In later years, Teresa worked as a secretary for a local plumbing company, where she was known for her warmth, dependability, and dedication. She enjoyed growing flowers and watching the birds outside her window, but above all else, Teresa loved her family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her immeasurable joy, and being their grandmother and great-grandmother was one of the greatest blessings of her life. Mrs. Ely is preceded in death by her parents.

Mrs. Ely is survived by her husband of 35 years, Larry Ely of Dellwood; sons, James Ely (Jennifer) of Swainsboro, B.J. Scarboro (Sheree) of Brunswick and Chace Scarboro (Jill) of Adrian; daughter, Jessica Johnson (Asa) of Twin City; brothers, Terrel Colter (Jodi) of Norristown, Jamie Colter of Meeks and Arthur Copeland of Adrian; sister, Lamanda Hendrix of Dellwood; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Gideon International, PO Box 365, Swainsboro, GA 30401.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.