Mary Ella Ellis Hudson, 98, of Memphis, TN., passed away March 27, 2026. Born April 27, 1929, to George and Allie B. Hampton Ellis.
She was joined in Holy Matrimony to Isiah Hudson on December 26, 1946, who preceded her in death. To this union seven children were born. Two children preceded them in death. Fifty-four years were shared together with her husband before he departed this life.
Mary Ella’s commitment to Christ began at an early age and her spiritual journey continued at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Warren, AR., under the leadership of Pastors W.L. Strickland Sr., M.T. Easter, Bishop Chester L. Thompson, Thomas Hilton, Dean Frazier and K. Lewis Dawn. Due to health challenges, she relocated to Memphis, TN in 2006, where she resided until the Lord called her home.
She worshipped at Greater Community Temple, COGIC under the leadership of Bishop Brandon B. Porter.
Her special gifts were nursing and cooking. She practiced as a mid-wife, delivering many babies, under the supervision of Dr. Whaley in Warren, AR. She served as caregiver for her late husband, his mother, her father, brother-in-law, her uncle and her sister.
Mary Ella was happiest in the kitchen cooking and entertaining family especially on holidays. She baked many pies and cakes for various members of the Warren community. She loved going on fishing trips as fishing was one of her favorite pastimes.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George & Allie Ellis; siblings, Clifton Ellis, Clarence Ellis, George Ellis, Jessie Mae Rideout, Doris Ellis; husband, Isiah Hudson; two children; grandchildren, Londa Hudson, Jamadi Cranford, and grandson-in-law, Steve Russell.
She is survived four daughters, Lorraine Hudson-Malone of Memphis, TN, Marzlaryne ‘Sweet’ Cranford, Essie Courtney (Dewayne) both of Little Rock, AR, adopted daughter, Mariah S. Dingba of Memphis, TN.; two sons, Riley Hudson of Warren, AR, Leonard Hudson (Karen) of Bossier City, LA, 11 grandchildren, one grandson was reared as her own, Chief Master Sergeant Amadi O. Dingba of Spangdahlem Air Force Base, Germany; 22 great grandchildren; a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral service was held April 11 at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Warren, AR. with Rev. Henry Cox officiating and Bishop Chester Thompson eulogist. Burial was in Union Cemetery, Warren, AR.
Arrangements by Hammons Funeral Home.
