Ella Mae McLendon, 40

MILFORD - Nearly 41 years ago, the Good Lord gave us a magnificent blessing, Ella Mae McLendon, the daughter of the late Willie Ester Edwards and Ella B. Edwards. Ella was born on March 8, 1968, in Weir, Miss. Ella moved to Memphis, Tenn. in 1977 with her family. She later married and in 1986, Krystal Holloway was born. In 1989, Ella moved to Dover, to start a new life. She first joined Calvary Baptist Church and later joined Canaan Full Gospel Christian Church in Houston, under the leadership of Bishop Miron Lott, Sr. and made public confession of her faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1986, Ella began a long battle with Lupus. Through this battle, it brought her even closer to the Lord. She would hear his voice and walk in obedience to the things that He spoke to her. Ella sang on the gospel choir at Canaan and was president of the youth and adult usher board. She also started a local Lupus Support group. In 1994, Demeris McLendon met Ella, the very best thing that has ever happened to him. In 1995, they were married and lived in Milford. Ella loved to worship God and loved to cook and bake (and yes, Ella, we will greatly miss that macaroni and cheese during Thanksgiving and Christmas). Ella was preceded in death just 28 days by her mother, Ella B. Edwards, who departed this earth Jan. 8, 2009. Ella was also preceded in death by her father, Willie Ester Edwards; and her three sisters, Georgia Miller, Pearlie Edwards and Debbie Joyner. Ella departed a very blessed and peaceful life on Feb. 4, 2009, and she will definitely spend eternity with the Lord. Ella leaves to cherish in memory a husband, Demeris (Tater) McLendon; one daughter, Krystal Holloway; one nephew, Richie McLendon, who she raised as her own son, all of Milford; two sisters, Dorothy Edwards of Memphis, Tenn. and Willow Hannah and her husband Willie Hannah of Dover; one god-daughter, Alexis Edwards of Dover; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Canaan Full Gospel Church, School Street, Houston, where friends may call on Friday evening from 6 - 8 pm. Burial will be in Milford Community Cemetery, Milford. Arrangements by Lofland Funeral Home, Milford.