Ella Mae Jones

Ella Mae was born May 16th, 1937, in Waco, Texas and was the oldest daughter of Sammie Lee Moore Sr. and Eloise Nichols. She accepted Christ into her life at an early age and became a faithful member of Saint James United Methodist Church in Waco. Ella served in various capacities throughout the years. Being an excellent singer, she was a devoted servant in the Charles Wesley Chorus at St. James for 42 years.

Visitation:  6pm to 8pm Friday, September 6, 2024 at Lake Shore Funeral Home, Waco, TX

Funeral Service:  11am Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Lake Shore Funeral Home, Waco, TX                                                           CLICK HERE to view the Live Stream of the service.

Interment:  Doris Miller Memorial Park, Waco, TX

Ella Mae received her formal education from the Waco Public Schools, attending A. J. Moore High School, Class of 1955. She truly enjoyed staying in touch with her classmates and attending the class reunions. Ella became a licensed cosmetologist after attending East Waco Cosmetology School.

Ella made employment history by becoming one of the first Black elevator operators at Goldstein Migel Department Store, downtown location. When the store moved to self-service elevators, she was promoted to the cosmetics department, again being the first African American woman to demonstrate and sell makeup focused toward women of color, including Fashion Fair Cosmetics. Ella was also employed with the Waco Housing Authority for over twenty years. She managed South Terrace and Estella Maxey Apartments. Her final position was as Intake Specialist for Section 8 applicants.

In 2011, due to failing health, Ella relocated to League City, Texas with her daughter and family. While living there, she attended Victorious Living Christian Center under the leadership of Pastor Elizabeth Ann Douglas. She enjoyed the richly taught messages and the high praise and worship. She was lovingly called Mama Ella.

Ella Mae never met a stranger. She could always start up a conversation with anyone she met at her favorite shopping spots, HEB or Walmart. Ella was a fun-loving person and enjoyed being with family and friends. One of her favorite yearly activities was traveling to the Hicks family reunion. We will truly miss her smile, her warmth, her caring and sharing ways, but we are thankful for the time we spent together on this side. With much love and many glad reflections, we cherish the memories of “Mama, Grandma, Gran-Gran, Aunt Mae, Ella Mae” to many and “Mama Ella” to some.

On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, Ella Mae departed this life at UTMB Hospital in League City, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters: Johnnie Sterling, Maggie Smith, Flodine Morrison and adopted sister Mildred Ballou, brothers: Sammie Moore Jr., James W. Moore, Bobbie Moore, Arthur McCoy, Jewell Lloyd, Melvin Neal, Maurice Neal, Robert Bradshaw, Samuel Nichols-Wilson, Leslie S. Nichols Sr., and ex-husband Nathaniel Jones.

Left behind to cherish memories of her life are her devoted daughter Ethelyn (William) Washington, her pride and joy granddaughter Kimbra (Tarsha)Peterson and great granddaughter Siobhan Washington, stepdaughter Sheree (Robert)Jones-Levi, stepson Victor (Gwen)Jones. Sisters: Minister Gwendolyn Thornton, Verthona Jackson, Glodine Allen. Brothers: Christopher (Sharon) Moore, Bennie (Selma)Neal and Johnny Neal. Devoted nephews: Byron Smith, Shawn Smith, Bryan Smith. Devoted nieces: Sharon Sterling, Diane (Elijah)Jones, Andrea (Roger)Sweet, Margaret (Carl)Johnson, Deneen Bradshaw, Amy (Ricky)Gilyard, Betty Black and Brittany Smith. Devoted cousins: Gertie Houston, Marilyn (Herbert)Clayton, Earline Nichols, Gerline (Lonnie)Hunter, Darlene Nichols, Johnnie Ruth (Allen)Cooksey, Eleanor McCoy, Albert (Billie)Nichols, Ollie (Geneva)Nichols. Special friends: Vada Hargrove, Beverlyn Walker, Stella Kenner and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and acquaintances.

Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708