Ellis Marsalis, Sr.

Ellis Louis Marsalis Sr. (April 16, 1908 – September 19, 2004) was an American businessman from New Orleans, Louisiana. He was a former poultry farmer turned hotelier, Esso franchise owner and civil rights activist. Family Marsalis was born in Summit, Mississippi, the son of Rosa (née Gayden) and Simeon "Simmie" Marsalis. His father had changed his surname to "Marsalis", his stepfather's surname. He was the patriarch of the renowned Marsalis musical family that includes his son, Ellis Marsalis Jr., and grandsons Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo, and Jason. Ellis Sr. was married to Florence Robertson (Marsalis), and also has a daughter, Yvette Marsalis, of New Orleans. Marsalis was never a musician of any kind, but was fond of Mississippi Delta Blues. Early life Marsalis came to New Orleans in 1927 and worked for the Duplain Rhodes Funeral Home, driving a horse-drawn hearse. During World War II, he did welding and built batteries to aid the war effort. Hotelier