Barney Ray Tellis

Published 6:45 am Thursday, March 8, 2012

Barney Ray Tellis

Funeral services for Barney Ray Tellis, 64, who died March 3, 2012, will be at 1 p.m. Friday, March 9, at Greater St. Paul A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Elijah Shafah officiating.

Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery under the direction of George F. Grubbs Funeral Home.

He was born born August 23, 1947, to the late Elbert Ted Tellis and Thelma Tellis.

At an early age Barney was a member of Bethel Temple Church of God in Christ.  Religious Affiliations/Organizations of Glenwood, Alabama in which he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.

Barney attended Goshen Elementary and High School.  In 1966 he left home to join the Job Corp.  He completed and received his professional trade as a Master Barber.  He also participated in the sport of Boxing.  He excelled in his career in Dorchester, Massachusetts at “Talk of the Town” Barber Shop for several years.  He then worked at “Master Cuts” in Boston, MA.  He loved his career and was honored to cut the hair of several celebrities such as: Bobby Brown, former NBA players of the Boston Celtics, and former players of the NFL New England Patriots.  He also befriended the late Ali Woodson of the Temptations.  In 1999 he returned home to his family, operating/owner of “Cut Masters of Boston” until his death on Saturday, March 3, 2012.  He enjoyed sports, fishing, grilling and spending time with his dog, “Rusty”.  He passed away at the age of sixty-four at Troy Regional Medical Center.

He was preceded in death by his father, the late Elbert Ted Tellis, grandparents, the late Frank and Pearlie Smith and the late Elbert and Jane Tellis; two siblings at birth, Louis M. Tellis, Rosie L. Tellis, Henry L. Tellis and Lacy P. Jackson.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories: two sons, Justin Williams, Boston, MA; and Jason Patrick, Dorchester, MA; three grandchildren; his loving and devoted mother, Ms. Thelma Tellis, Troy, AL; four brothers, Robert E. (Lucile) Tellis, Frank Tellis, Willie Tellis and Johnnie Ray Tellis, all of Troy, AL; a stepbrother, Willie (JoAnn) Boyd, Helicon, AL; four sisters, Mary E. Dortch, Garrett (Willie) Lucas, Tarrie T. Rodgers, and Irene T. (Jimmy) Mahone, Troy, AL; two aunts, Effie M. Brown, Cincinnati, OH; and Ilene Ridgeway, Detroit, MI; one uncle, Willie J. Smith, Nashville, TN; a devoted sister, Irene T. Mahone, sister-in-law, Mary L. Tellis and niece, Brenda T. Scott; devoted neighbors, Katherine Tolbert and Lula Larkins; a devoted friend, Dr. Fernelle Warren Ph.D., a special friend, Temekia Slaughter; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, devoted friends and clients.