Elliott was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Reverend and Mrs. Elliott and Elsie Lyons and raised by his grandparents in Galveston, Texas. He is a survivor of three near-fatal car wrecks, three near-death drowning encounters, and escape from the ghetto violence crime life. He was given a second chance to begin a new life. This was the central turning point in Elliott's life, with the acceptance of the call to the ministry in 1968. He understood that God had a greater plan and purpose for his life and would often say that "God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things." He accepted the call to the ministry, at the early age of eighteen, on September 23, 1968. He was later on ordained by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He has pastored successfully in both the states of Texas and in Georgia for over forty years. He has been successful in the areas of evangelism, building and founding of churches, counseling/crises intervention, along with the implementation of evangelistic programs of outreach. He earned his bachelor of arts degree from Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas, and master of divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He holds numerous awards and certificates, which include certification in clinical pastoral education, Commissioner's Award of Outstanding Service/DHR, Substance Abuse and Offender Rehabilitation Counseling Certification, MAC and CCCJS, by National Forensic Association and National Board of Addiction Examiners. He is a current member of Cambridge Who's Who Honor Society. He recorded his first gospel CD entitled "Songs of Inspiration" in 2008. He retired after thirty years of service from the Department of Human Resources, receiving an award for faithful service in 2008. In February of 2013, he once again retired after four years of service with the Developmentally Disabled, as a public relations officer. He is an author, having published his first book entitled After Retirement: A New Chapter of Life (2015 Xlibris Publishing). He is married to a devoted wife, the Reverend Eretta B. Lyons (assistant pastor of Welcome Chapel), who retired from the Clayton County Public School System as a certified special education teacher in 2012. He has a beloved son, Elliott Lyons III. He carries out his ministerial duties, serving as current pastor of Welcome Chapel of Decatur, Georgia. He humbly attributes all his achievements to the "Glory and Honor of God."
