Teresa Ann Ely

Mrs. Teresa Ann Ely, 65, of Dellwood, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Emanuel Medical Center. She was born September 22, 1961, in Dudley, Georgia, to the late Felton Doyle Colter and Alma M. Williams King.

Teresa had a true gift for teaching, and it was one of the great passions of her life. She taught at Pentecostal Lighthouse Christian School from 1991 until 2001, where she poured herself into the lives of her students and took great joy in helping them learn and grow.

Teresa was a faithful member of Pentecostal Lighthouse Church for 41 years, and her love for teaching extended far beyond the classroom and into her church. Beginning in the early 1980s, Teresa faithfully served as a Sunday school teacher for many years, continuing until the later years of her life when illness made it difficult for her to do so. While she loved teaching school, teaching others about Jesus—and living her life as an example of the faith she taught—was at the heart of who she was. She found great joy in sharing her faith with others and devoted much of her life to doing so.

In later years, Teresa worked as a secretary for a local plumbing company, where she was known for her warmth, dependability, and dedication. She enjoyed growing flowers and watching the birds outside her window, but above all else, Teresa loved her family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her immeasurable joy, and being their grandmother and great-grandmother was one of the greatest blessings of her life.

Teresa is survived by her husband of 35 years, Larry Ely of Dellwood; sons, James Ely (Jennifer) of Swainsboro, B.J. Scarboro (Sheree) of Brunswick, and Chace Scarboro (Jill) of Adrian; daughter, Jessica Johnson (Asa) of Twin City; brothers, Terrel Colter (Jodi) of Norristown, Jamie Colter of Meeks, and Arthur Copeland of Adrian; sister, Lamanda Hendrix of Dellwood; 14 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Felton Doyle Colter and Alma M. Williams King.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Chapman Funeral Home with Reverends Chris Young and Jose Alicea officiating. Interment will follow at Eastbrook Cemetery & Mausoleum. Graveside will be officiated by Elder Ronnie Young.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Chapman Funeral Home.

Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Billy Joe Scarboro, Hunter Scarboro, Phillip Young, Ashton Johnson, Cason Johnson, Critty Edenfield, Jason Corbitt, Bowyn Harvey, and Banks Harvey.

In lieu of flower, the family request donations be made to Gideon International at PO Box 365, Swainsboro, GA 30401.

Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Teresa Ann Ely.