Jerome "Rusty" Elliott

Dickerson Mortuary announces the passing of Mr. Jerome "Rusty" Elliott, 66, who transitioned on Thursday, March 13, 2025.  The family of Mr. Jerome Rusty Elliott invites you to attend his celebration of life services on Saturday, March 22, 2025@ 11:00 am at Central RMUE Church 117 President St., Charleston, SC 29403.  Interment: Live Oak Memorial Gardens.

Jerome Melvin “Rusty” Elliott, son of the late Elizabeth Jones Elliott and William Elliott, Sr., was born on September 17, 1958, in Charleston, South Carolina. He gained his wings and entered eternal rest on March 13, 2025. 

Jerome was the eighth of nine children born to Elizabeth and William. He spent most of his childhood in Charleston and James Island, SC where he began his Christian journey at Central R.M.U.E Church. He attended Buist Elementary for his early childhood education. He graduated from Fort Johnson High School (now James Island Charter) in June 1975 where he cultivated his love for sports as a member of the basketball and football teams. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and was deployed to Germany for some time. He continued his journey after deployment to San Jose, California where he furthered his education at Cabrillo College and San Jose State College. While in California, he met and married Patricia Kaye B. Elliott, the mother of his two children. Patricia preceded him in death on June 10, 1989.                                                          

 Affectionately known as “Rusty” to family and friends, Jerome was a fun-loving spirit who lived life with vigor. He is known to have enjoyed helicopter rides and travel with loved ones. His journeys eventually led him back permanently to the east coast, most recently Greensboro, NC, where he became a resolute member of Evangel Fellowship Church of God. He found great passion in using his life experiences to uplift and encourage young people as an assistant youth flag football coach and motivational speaker. He was an avid gym enthusiast who enjoyed daily workouts.  

The love and pride Jerome had for his children, grandchildren, and their numerous achievements were apparent to all who knew him. He enthusiastically sported his Clemson University and University of Virginia gear to football games in support of his son, Coach Antonio Elliott, Sr. He was extremely proud of his daughter Dr. Brandi Allen and her achievements throughout her career as a medical executive. In recent years, he found immense joy in traveling to cheer on his grandchildren Antonio Jr. “AJ”, Austin “Ace”, Kaye “KK”, Elijah “EA”, and Saige as they excelled at their various sports and school events. 

Jerome will always be remembered for his infectious smile, humor, outgoing personality, and unwavering and fierce support of his loved ones. To know him was to love him! Jerome is survived by his son, Antonio Lamar Elliott, Sr. (Dr. Tamika Elliott); daughter, Dr. Brandi Marie Allen (David Allen); Angela De La Garza-Torricer, step-daughter; siblings Louise Elliott Fauntleroy, Dr. Blondell Elliott Kidd, Carroll Elliott, and Deadra Elliott; fiancé, Marcy Welch; grandchildren, Antonio Lamar Elliott, Jr., Austin Christopher Elliott, Kaye Marie Allen, Elijah Elliott Allen, and Saige Christian Allen; special sisters-in-law Sandra Elliott, Amy Daughtery, and Cynthia Stewart; and a host of nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces. Jerome is predeceased by his siblings Shirley Elliott, Michael Elliott, Joseph “Ness” Elliott, and William “Bill” Elliott, Jr., and special sister-in-law Roena “Dessa” Simon Elliott.