Hughes Van Ellis Obituary: What Happened to Hughes Van Ellis? How did Hughes Van Ellis Die? Hughes Van Ellis Cause of Death
by Aishwarya R
Updated Oct 11, 2023
Hughes Van Ellis Obituary
Hughes Van Ellis, one of the last surviving witnesses to the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, passed away on Monday at the age of 102. His daughter, Muriel Ellis Watson, confirmed his death and revealed that he had been receiving treatment for cancer, which had unfortunately spread to his brain. Hughes Van Ellis's passing marked the loss of a living connection to a dark chapter in American history and the end of an era where first-hand accounts of the horrific event were available.
As a survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Hughes Van Ellis carried the weight of that tragic memory for decades, sharing his experiences to ensure the world never forgot the atrocities of the past. His dedication to preserving the history of the massacre and his commitment to justice for the victims and their descendants left an indelible mark. His passing serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency to continue the work of acknowledging historical injustices and striving for a more equitable and inclusive future.
Who was Hughes Van Ellis?
Hughes Van Ellis was a significant historical figure who played a pivotal role in preserving the memory of the devastating Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. He was one of only three known remaining survivors of the horrific event, which saw a white mob destroy the thriving Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and resulted in the deaths of as many as 300 Black residents. Hughes Van Ellis became a living link to that dark chapter in American history, and his firsthand accounts served as a crucial testament to the racial violence and injustice that took place during that time.
As a survivor, Hughes Van Ellis was a living testament to the horrors of the Tulsa Race Massacre, and he dedicated his life to ensuring that the world never forgot the tragic events of 1921. He shared his experiences and memories, helping to shed light on the racial violence and destruction that occurred in Tulsa's Greenwood district. His presence and testimony were instrumental in the ongoing efforts to acknowledge the tragedy and seek justice for the victims and their descendants. Hughes Van Ellis's legacy is a poignant reminder of the importance of bearing witness to history and striving for a more just and inclusive future.
Back Story of Hughes Van Ellis and Tulsa Race Massacre
Hughes Van Ellis had a remarkable backstory deeply intertwined with the tragic events of the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921. After World War II, he worked as a sharecropper and raised seven children. His life unfolded in the shadow of the Tulsa massacre, a horrifying episode where a white mob destroyed the once-thriving Black community of Greenwood. Hughes Van Ellis's connection to the event was profoundly personal, as he was just six months old when his family narrowly escaped the violence that is now widely recognized as one of the most extreme instances of racial violence in American history.
The tensions in Tulsa escalated when a white-owned newspaper, the Tulsa Tribune, published an inflammatory report accusing a young Black shoeshiner of assaulting a white girl. As a result, a Black militia gathered to protect the accused from a potential lynching. This gathering, along with other violent confrontations between Black and white residents, ignited a full-blown conflict. Over a span of 18 hours on May 31 and June 1, the white mob unleashed a devastating campaign against Greenwood, with estimates of the death toll reaching as high as 300. Nearly 35 city blocks were razed, approximately 191 businesses were obliterated, and around 10,000 Black residents were displaced.
Although Greenwood was eventually rebuilt, urban renewal and a highway project forced many Black Tulsans out of the area. Hughes Van Ellis spent his later years advocating for justice for his family and the descendants of those affected by the Tulsa Race Massacre. He aimed to shed light on the tremendous losses suffered by Black Tulsans and worked tirelessly to bring about restitution. With his passing, only two survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Viola Ford Fletcher and Lessie Benningfield Randle, remain. The pursuit of justice for this dark chapter in American history continues, with the Oklahoma high court agreeing to consider the survivors' reparations lawsuit, despite its initial dismissal by a lower court.
Hughes Van Ellis Family
Hughes Van Ellis, alongside Lessie Benningfield Randle, who is 108 years old, and his sister Viola Ford Fletcher, at 109 years old, held the solemn distinction of being the last known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Hughes Van Ellis is survived by a sizable and caring family, among them his daughters Mallee and Muriel Van Ellis. In his later years while living in Denver, these two dedicated daughters served as his primary caregivers, providing him with love and support as he faced health challenges and continued his mission to ensure the world never forgot the tragic events of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Their commitment to their father and his cause reflects the enduring legacy of resilience and determination within the Van Ellis family.
What Happened to Hughes Van Ellis?
Hughes Van Ellis, a prominent survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, passed away at the age of 102 in a veterans' hospital in Denver. His daughter, Muriel Ellis Watson, confirmed his death and revealed that he had been battling cancer, which had unfortunately spread to his brain. Hughes Van Ellis dedicated his life to preserving the memory of the devastating massacre, where a white mob destroyed Tulsa's prosperous Greenwood neighborhood and killed hundreds of Black residents. His testimony served as a crucial testament to the racial violence and injustice of that era, and his passing marked the loss of a living connection to this dark chapter in American history.
How did Hughes Van Ellis Die?
Hughes Van Ellis passed away on Monday at the age of 102 in a veterans' hospital in Denver due to cancer. Hughes Van Ellis's death marked the end of an era for one of the last surviving witnesses to the Tulsa Race Massacre, leaving a void in the ongoing quest for justice and remembrance of this dark chapter in American history.
Hughes Van Ellis Cause of Death
Hughes Van Ellis passed away and the cause of his death was attributed to complications from cancer, which had recently metastasized to his brain. His daughter, Muriel Ellis Watson, confirmed his demise in a telephone interview, marking the end of an extraordinary life dedicated to preserving the memory of the Tulsa Race Massacre and advocating for justice. Hughes Van Ellis's legacy will live on as a testament to his resilience and commitment to addressing historical injustices.
Hughes Van Ellis Obituary - FAQs
Hughes Van Ellis, one of the last survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre, passed away at the age of 102 in a veterans' hospital in Denver. He dedicated his life to preserving the memory of the massacre.
Hughes Van Ellis died due to complications from cancer. The cancer had recently spread to his brain, leading to his hospitalization and, ultimately, his passing.
The cause of Hughes Van Ellis's death was attributed to the progression of cancer, which had metastasized to his brain. His daughter, Muriel Ellis Watson, confirmed his death.
Hughes Van Ellis's daughter, Muriel Ellis Watson, confirmed his passing in a telephone interview. She provided details about his health condition and the circumstances surrounding his death.
Hughes Van Ellis left a legacy as a living link to the Tulsa Race Massacre, using his testimony to shed light on the racial violence and injustice of that era. His life's work was dedicated to advocating for justice and remembrance of this dark chapter in American history.