Elijah Lee Baptist of Corsicana, Texas passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at the age of 80. Elijah was born in Emhouse, Texas on December 19, 1940, to father Henry Lee Baptist and mother Rosa Mae Alice Clay. He received a formal education, graduating from GW Jackson High School in 1961 and attended Navarro College. He met and married Ethel Pearl Roberts on May 4, 1961, spending the next 59 years, 8 months, and 10 days in this union.

He was called to the ministry in April 1962 and preached his first message in May 1962 at Griffin Chapel Church of God in Christ where he served as Assistant Pastor for 16 years. He was later licensed as an elder and appointed to his first church, Salvation Lighthouse COGIC, Mexia, Texas in 1971 where he served for 11 years. His second appointment was to Griffin Chapel COGIC, Corsicana, Texas in 1980, where he is presently serving.

In 1983 Bishop J. N. Haynes, Texas Northeast Jurisdiction, promoted Elder Elijah L. Baptist to Superintendent, where he served as overseer for seven churches of the Corsicana District. He was later retired as Corsicana District Superintendent Emeritus (January 2017 - present).

He has served as 1st Vice President and President of the local Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and was a member for many years. Among his ministerial and various community activities, the Texas Department of Transportation employed Elijah L. Baptist for 35 years.

Elijah was preceded in death by his son, Larry Baptist, his granddaughter, Ashley Gates, his parents, one brother, and two sisters. He is survived by his wife Ethel Baptist; children Euralonda Baptist Gates, Jerisa Baptist, Robert (Kristi) Baptist, and William (Katrina) Baptist; grandchildren Tai (Roddry) Dickerson, Enon Gates, Jaxon and Makenzie Baptist, and Theodore and Madison Baptist; great grandchildren Sean, Jordon and Jada Dickerson, and a host of siblings, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation for Elijah is planned for Wednesday, January 20, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Griffin Chapel COGIC, 701 East 12th Avenue, Corsicana, TX. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at First Baptist Church, 510 West Collin, Corsicana, TX at 11 a.m.

Donations to honor Elijah may be sent to Griffin Chapel COGIC, 5425 Payne Street, Corsicana, TX, 75110 or to the Navarro County Ambulatory Care Association, PO Box 518, Corsicana, TX 75151