Obituary of Mamie Ellison

Mamie Lee (Turner) Ellison April 16, 1936 - February 17, 2007 Mamie Lee Ellison, 70 was called home by Christ on, February 17, 2007 at Orchard Grove Extended Care Centre in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She was born to the late LeRoy and Margaret (Ledbetter) Turner on April 16, 1936 in Pulaski, Illinois. On August 23, 1953 Mamie married the love of her life, James Ellison, Sr. Mamie attended school in Cairo, Illinois. She later earned her GED and went on to earn her Associate's degree from Lake Michigan College in 1980. Besides rearing her children Mamie worked as a Housekeeping Supervisor at Howard Johnson's in Benton Harbor for many years. Mamie had a deep-seated faith in God and lived her life accordingly. She was a member of Second Baptist Church for almost 40 years. She was a member of the Missionary Circle and Gospel Chorus for many years and loved singing God's praises. Mamie was also a member of the Eastern Star Rose of Sharon Chapter for many years. Her passion for serving God did not end inside of the church walls. Her love for Christ showed in the compassion Mamie has always had for other people. She often opened her home to others providing a safe and loving environment. Words cannot begin to express the positive impact Mamie had on the many lives she touched. Mamie felt her greatest joy and accomplishment was her family. She was very close to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She shared a very close relationship with her sisters Cookie and Carolyn. She loved family gatherings and just being in the presence of her family. Her family adored her and she will be greatly missed by all. Orchard Grove Extended Care Centre and In-House Hospice Solutions, Inc. provided excellent care for Mamie during the last days of her journey. The family wishes to give a special thanks to Jackolyn Ingram, Angela Marek, Tina Ledford and Scott Labbe for the wonderful care and attention they provided to our mother. Mamie has gone home to Christ and shall have eternal peace. She leaves in God's care, her husband James Ellison, Sr., her two sons James Ellison Jr., and Robbie Ellison of Benton Harbor, her six daughters; Marvail Hudson of Jackson, Michigan, Cheryl Ellison Brown of Chicago, Illinois, Michele Davis of Indianapolis, Indiana, Cathy Ellison of Benton Harbor, Kimberly Triplett of Jackson, Michigan, and Rhonda (Gregory Draughter) Ellison of Benton Harbor, seventeen grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, two sisters Carolyn (Charles) Whitfield of Gary, Indiana, and Lorene Tucker of Benton Harbor, Michigan, and five brothers Jimmie (Dorothy) Turner of Pulaski, Illinois, Edward (Louise) Bellamy, of Michigan City, Indiana, Alvin (Sally) Bellamy of Cairo, Illinois, Jim Bellamy of Paducah, Kentucky, and Roy Bellamy of Springfield, Illinois and a multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Mamie was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters; Gladys Turner, a very special sister Jerniece "Cookie" Turner, Katherine Triplett, and Mary Bellamy and three great-grandsons, Darrell L. Ellison, II, Earl J. Henderson, Andre Brown, Jr., and one great-granddaughter Tychell Matlock. Visitation will be held at Second Baptist Church on February 23, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. where funeral services will directly follow at Noon with Rev. Kenneth Gavin officiating. Those wishing to make memorial donations in lieu of flowers may do so to the Second Baptist Church Gospel Chorus Fund at 600 Donald Adkins Dr., Benton Harbor, MI 49022. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services.