Paul Ellis Rollin

Paul Ellis Rollin was born in Houston Mississippi on September 14, 1943 to Mary Ellen and Lannie Rollin. He was the second oldest of six with an older brother Freddie, and younger siblings Victor, Patricia, Merancia “Randi” and Michelle. The family eventually moved to Akron, Ohio where Paul attended West Junior High and South High School. He was a standout athlete in both Track and Football lettering in both sports as a Sophomore. He would remind those that would listen that he was so fast that he could run “in-between” the raindrops. After graduation in 1962, Paul worked at the Akron Urban League for 2 year prior to being drafted into the United States Army in 1964. Paul was stationed abroad in Korea and served in the Vietnam War. Paul was honorably discharged in 1967. After serving in the military, Paul began working for B.F. Goodrich where he worked in the tire compounding division. When Goodrich moved its tire production to Alabama in 1987, Paul chose to stay in Akron and accepted a position with Atmosphere Annealing where he worked until retirement in 1994.

Paul met his loving wife, Ellen and the two were married on June 29th, 1968. From their union came three sons, Juan(Columbus,Ohio), Paul Jr(Houston, Texas) and Tedrick(Marion, Ohio). Not only were Paul and Ellen blessed with 3 sons, they were blessed with 3 daughters-in-law: Amanda(Juan), Jessica(Paul) and Ashonda(Tedrick). Married over 56 years, Paul was a constant example of what it meant to be a man, a father, a husband and a friend.

Paul and Ellen have five grandchildren, Lateayra, Trynyty, Adam, Kobe and Harper.

Paul was a devout Christian and was a member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. If you stayed to chat awhile he would tell you what God put on his heart to share. With his boys showing interest in sports, Paul began coaching youth league football in 1978. It was not enough for him to make great men of his own boys, he felt that he could also be an example of manhood for other kids growing up in the Akron community without fathers in their life. He was a true role model. Coaching was his way of giving back and he last coached the Freshman team at Kenmore High School in 1986.

Paul's hobbies included listening to Blues, the music of his era. He also loved to spend time dancing at the VFW. He was an avid fisherman and would travel all around Ohio to find a good spot to drop a fishing line. He said, “you’ll never have a bad day when you’re out fishing.”

Paul was proceeded in death by Mary and Lannie(parents), Bright and Hattie Mae (father and mother in law), Siblings: Victor Rollin, Randi Rollin and Michelle(Levester) Parker. In-Laws Elizabeth(Freddie) Rollin and Willie Frank(Lizzie Mae) Mayes and Mary(Bernard) Lee. Best friend Eddie “Jody” Watson. Grandson Trey Rollin.

Paul is survived by his devoted wife Ellen. Siblings: Freddie and Patricia. In-laws: Lizzie May, Thelma(Charlie) Roby, Joyce Dewberry, Bright(Violet) Lee, Bernard(Kym) Lee, Yvonne (Eddie) Johnston, Levester(Michelle) Parker and Willie “DeeDa” Davis. Sons Juan, Paul(Jessica) and Tedrick(Ashonda). “Adoptive” son Shaun(Lashawn) Cooper. Special Neighbors Dawn(Bob) Humphries-Childress and Johnny Rivers; and a host of nieces and nephews, Valarie, Freddie, and Anthony Rollin, Mary and Angelina Rollin, Crystal Winstead, Twila Porter, Mykeisha Robinson, Brandi Sheppard, Victor Rollin, Levester and Sunsharia Parker, Willie J, Gerald, Jeffrey and DeShawn Mayes, Yolanda, Karen and John Jones, Derrick and Sonia Dewberry, Tiffany Edwards, Errica Lee, Cheylenne Butler, Veronica and Marcus Lee, Vanessa Cunningham, and Larry and Kyle Lee.