Ella Williams

Evangelist Ella Mae Williams passed away Monday, June 23, 2014. She was born November 15, 1934 in Sunflower, Mississippi to Inez Kelley and Robert P. Williams Sr.
At the age of 14 Ella commonly known as Ella Mae moved to Saginaw, Michigan with her family. She was a 1954 graduate of Saginaw High School. Shortly after, she had her first son and began her role as a nurturing mother. Ella held several off jobs while being a full time parent.
In 1963, Ella answered the call to Christ and held true the very meaning to be a follower of Jesus at Harris Temple COGIC. She was led by the Lord to minister in 1971. In that time she co-founded Emmanuel Church of Deliverance with her sister Martha Emerson and fellow sister-in-Christ Cecelia Harold. There she served as secretary and pianist. In 1979 she was a member of Church of the Living God. It was there that she developed a street ministry of going to door to door. On Wednesdays Ella would hold prayer in her home. She also opened her home for others to tarry for the Holy Spirit. She became a member of Bethlehem Temple Church in 1988 where she served with the Missionary Department. Ella began attending House of Prayer under the leadership of Pastor James Lewis in 1993. It is there where she spent her remaining years of serving the Lord. Evangelist Williams held multiple offices including Sunday School teacher and Missionary. She had a passion for ministering to the sick and the lost. Her determination to attend church was the definition of faithful.
Ella began to tutor children in reading from 1995 to 1998 at Heavenrich Elementary School. She loved to help people no matter how odd the situation may seem. Her humble spirit and gentle demeanor were her most outstanding characteristics. Nothing pleased her more than going to church and seeing souls won to Christ. She had a great joy in seeing her grandchildren and always loved to spoil the babies of the family.
Ella leaves to cherish her memory one son, Lonnie Smith Sr.; three grand-daughters, Raylynn Smith, Shanda Smith and Kalonna (Tamyra) Richard; five grandsons, Lonnie Smith Jr., Lowell Smith, Marvin, Corry and Larry Smith; twelve great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Williams Jr.; one uncle, Sammy Kelley; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Ella was preceded in death by one son, Carl P. Smith, one grandson, Choyalaray Smith, parents, Inez Kelley and Robert P. Williams, grandparents, Buck and Martha Kelley, Sisters, Dora M. Drain and Martha Emerson.
Visitation: Paradise Funeral Chapel Obituaries
Service Plans: Paradise Funeral Chapel Obituaries