This grave is the final resting place of the Salvationist, Mary Ann and her husband William Henry Ellison and is located in Lezayre Churchyard in Churchtown.
The headstone above the grave carries a full colour representation of The Salvation Army crest.
The crest has the following features which "set forth leading doctrines of The Salvation Army as follows:
The sun (the surround) represents the light and fire of the Holy Spirit
The cross of Jesus stands at the centre of the crest and the Salvationist’s faith
The ‘S’ stands for Salvation from sin
The swords represent the fight against sin
The shots (seven dots on the circle) stand for the truths of the gospel
The crown speaks of God’s reward for His faithful people
“Blood and Fire” is the motto of The Salvation Army. This describes the blood of Jesus shed on the cross to save all people, and the fire of the Holy Spirit which purifies believers.
The crest is less recognisable than the Red Shield but is a meaningful symbol of Salvation Army beliefs. The crest was the idea of an English Salvation Army Captain William Ebdon, He created the original design in 1878 and the only alteration to his original design was the addition of the crown.
(
visit link)
The epitaph on the front of the tomb is show below:
MARY ANN ELLSION
FAITHFUL SALVATIONIST, WIFE AND MOTHER
CALLED HOME 25TH MARCH 1948.
ALSO
WILLIAM HENRY ELLISON
BELOVED HUSBAND OF THE ABOVE
DIED 31ST JANUARY 1963
AGED 76 YEARS
"RE-UNITED"The following article appeared in the Ramsey Courier Newspaper on Friday 2 April 1948 :
"
SALVATION ARMY BAN AT FUNERALThe death occurred suddenly on Thursday of last week of Mrs Mary Ann Ellison wife of Mr William Henry Ellison, of 1 Albert Square, Ramsey. Mrs Ellison was well known as a Salvationist on the Island and had been a soldier of the Ramsey Corps for a long period. Her first introduction to the Island was in fact when she was appointed Captain at Ramsey in 1906. Born in Manchester, Mrs Ellison gave almost 40 years devoted service to the work of the Salvation Army and she was one of the pioneer officers of the organisation having entered the SA Training College in 1905, later took charge at nah's Quay, Tormorden and Ramsey.
The year after coming to Ramsey she married Mr Ellison and although she then relinquished her commission as a Salvation Army officer, she continued to give valiant service as a soldier at Laxey, Fleetwood, Walton and of course Ransey. In Salvation Army Circles her devotion to the cause impressed all with whom she came into contact and in women's work particularly in connection with the Ramsey Corps she will be greatly missed. She often conducted meetings and was a capable and sincere speaker.
The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon at the Salvation Army Hall and the service was conducted by Major W. Wilson, the Commanding Officer of the Douglas Corps. The cortege left the deceased home in Albert Square, preceded by the Douglas Band of the Salvation Army...As the Coffin was borne into the Churchyard the Band members formed a guard of honour."
"Mrs Ellsion brought up her four daughters as Salvationists and two of them sang a duet at the memorial service for their mother...Appropriate hymns were sung and prayer was offered by Sergt. Major Pagett of Ramsey."