Earnest Jerome Zeller

The Venerable Doctor Earnest Jerome (Jerry) Zeller passed away on Friday, July 4, after a long illness. Dr. Zeller was a well-known educator, Episcopal priest, and writer. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1925. He earned his undergraduate degree and two Masters degrees from Emory University and a Ph.D. from Indiana University. Dr. Zeller was a retired full university professor, having served as a College and University Dean of Emory University; occasional chair of the divisions of Behavioral and Social Sciences and of Education at Mercer University, Atlanta; and most recently Vice President and Dean and Professor at Reinhardt College in Waleska. He was named a Danforth Associate for his excellence in teaching and was a Fulbright Scholar in Egypt. Dr. Zeller was ordained into the Episcopal priesthood in 1954 and served as rector, vicar, or assistant in parishes in the dioceses of Florida and Atlanta for 50 years. He was appointed Archdeacon for the Episcopal Church's Diocese of Atlanta in 1993. He was serving as Rector of Holy Family Episcopal Church in Jasper when he retired from the priesthood in 2003. Dr. Zeller published numerous poems, essays, and short stories and was-a charter member and past president of the Georgia State Poetry Society. He was a combat veteran of WWII and a retired reserve chaplain (Capt.) in the United States Army. Dr. Zeller is survived by his wife, Patricia Baker Zeller of Decatur; two daughters, Carol Gay Hall of Oakridge, Tennessee and Donna Sue Casey of Columbia, South Carolina; his son, Earnest Jerome, Jr. (Chip) of Dacula; two step-children, Warren Turner Jackson, III of Grapevine, Texas and Lore Ann Jackson Lee of Decatur; ten grandchildren; his brother, James John Zeller of Winterhaven, Florida; and one niece and two nephews. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 12 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church. The family will receive visitors at A.S. Turner & Sons on Friday, July 11 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center (175 Good Samaritan Drive, P.O. Box 579, Jasper, GA 30143), Emmaus House (1017 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta, GA 30315-1705 or www.emmaushouse.org), or the Jerry Zeller Ministerial Honoree Scholarship, Reinhardt College (7300 Reinhardt College Circle, Waleska, GA 30183-2981). A. S. Turner & Sons.