Ella Mae Mims was born on January 29, 1925 in Brewton, Alabama to the late Lilla and Henry Green. Ella was the youngest of three brothers; Moses, John and Fred who preceded her in death. Ella turned her life over to Christ at an early age. She attended Brewton County Public School System. Ella was united in holy matrimony on September 12, 1940 to her loving and devoted husband of 68 years, Robert. Robert and Ella relocated to Detroit, Michigan in 1946. To this union four children were born Annie, William, Robert Jr., and Gwen. Annie and William preceded her in death. Ella had a passion for doing hair at an early age. She pursued that passion when the family and her mother Lilla moved to Detroit. Ella immediately enrolled at the Detroit School of Cosmetology. Ella later remodeled her basement turning it into a beauty salon. She was a member of the National Beauty Culturist League where she held several positions and won countless awards. She would attend annual conventions and return home every year with an award. Ella continued to style hair well into her 80s until her health challenges prevented her from going up and down the steps to her salon. Ella was also a member of the International Free and Excepted Modern Masons and Order of the Eastern Stars. She was a member of Rays of Light No. 151. Surprisingly, Ella found time to enjoy bowling on a league. Although, she pursued her passion of being a hairdresser, and bowling; her greatest love was family. All the grandchildren called her mother. They never called here grandma or grandmother, just Mother! Ella was passionately called “Baby Doll” by her husband because she was just that to him. People would tell her how pretty she was and how flawless her skin was well into her 90s, not a wrinkle to be found. No wonder Ella loved making women look pretty. That’s because she was not selfish in sharing beauty. More importantly than all those things, Ella was a God-fearing, virtuous woman with a beautiful soul. Ella served on the Nurses Guild for many years at New St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. That is, until her husband became an Ordained Minister where he was the Pastor and Mother became First Lady at New Silver Star Missionary Baptist Church until God called Pastor Mims home in January 2009. Mother leaves to cherish her memory and legacy of love; one son, Robert E. Mims, Jr. (Lucky), one daughter, Gwendolyn J. Houston; 10 grandchildren, Robert III, Sheldon, Keia, Kris, Johnie Jr., Damon, D’Ante, Jermane, Marlon, Delvon; 18 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
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