Ella Mae Lauderdale

ELLA MAE PARKER LAUDERDALE was born on Thursday, September 3, 1925, to Houston and Abbie Hill Parker, in Clanton, Alabama. The family moved to Birmingham, Alabama where Houston’s parents lived. While there, Ella Mae attended Parker High School. While visiting family in Coosa County, Alabama, Ella Mae met Alfonso Lauderdale. Alfonso was drafted into World War II. In 1942, Ella and her parents moved to Columbus, Ohio. She and Alfonso faithfully wrote to each other while he was serving abroad. The war ended and Al returned to Alabama. Ella Mae and her mother went to Alabama to celebrate Christmas. Her father remained in Columbus due to his job. Ella Mae and Alfonso decided to get married and did so on December 27, 1945. Alfonso went to Columbus with his new bride. She called him 'Al” and he called her 'El.” To their union, three children were born, Gail, Gloria, and Dwight. Ella was a devoted, loving wife and mother. Through the years, she was a homemaker. When her children were older, she worked at The OSU Dietary Department and later, worked in the Day Care field. Ella and Al had accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. They worshipped and served faithfully at Wayne Avenue Church of God down through the years. Ella was kind and had a servant’s heart. She loved God, her family, her church family, and her many friends. Even when Alzheimer’s had taken away many of her memories, there were times when she could recall some of the words to her favorite hymns and gospel songs. She would move her foot to the music. Al went home to be with the Lord on September 4, 2017. Family members believed he held on so he would not pass away on El’s birthday, September 3rd. Ella, age 95, made her transition and went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 30, 2020. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her daughter, Gloria; other family, and special family friend, Charles McDonald. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving and faithful family: daughter, Gail Milner of Columbus, Ohio; son, Dwight (Minnie) Lauderdale of The Villages, Florida; sister-in-law, Augusta Lauderdale of Columbus, Ohio; brother-in-law, Darnell Lauderdale of Columbus, Ohio; her Wayne Avenue Church family; nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members, and friends.