Ella Mae Turner

A homegoing service for Ella Mae (Johnson) Turner, age 88, will be held 11 A.M., Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Pool Chapel Baptist Church. Interment will follow in West End Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 12 P.M. to 4 P.M., Friday, January 31, 2025, at Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.

Ella Mae, known by all who loved her as "Aunt Sista," was born in Madisonville, Texas on December 6, 1936, to Ira Johnson, Sr. and Savannah (Brown) Davis of Madisonville. 

Ella Mae grew up as one of eleven siblings. She received her education at Marian Anderson High School in Madisonville, Texas. She was employed at Allee Incorporated for fifteen years as a machine operator and inspector. Afterwards, she was employed for ten years at Swiss American as a lab technician and inspector. Upon the death of her daughter, Eula Mae, she discontinued her employment to become the full time caregiver to four of her grandchildren. 

Ella Mae accepted Christ at an early age and began her spiritual journey at Sweet Zion Baptist Church. She later joined Freedom Missionary Baptist Church where she served as the Youth Sunday School Teacher. After that, she became a member of Pool Chapel Baptist Church, where she served as "Mother of the Church" under the leadership of her brother, Rev. DeFarris Johnson. Ella Mae had many pleasures in life, but cooking and caring for her children and grandchildren was her greatest pleasure of all. She loved and cherished her nieces and nephews, as well. Whether cooking salmon croquettes, babysitting, perming hair, or simply being a listening ear, Aunt Sista was always ready and willing to help her family however she could. She extended that same love and support to the members of her community. Her home was a place of warmth, love, security, and an open door to anyone who stopped by. Ella Mae was always an honest and dependable confidant. She will be missed in endless ways, but her sense of humor and ability to spread laughter will be missed most of all. 

Ella Mae passed away on January 23, 2025, in Madisonville, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira Johnson Sr. and Savannah (Brown) Davis; her daughter, Eula Mae Moffett; four grandchildren, LaShunda Craft, Charlotte Moffett, Nick Simpson, and Sterling Turner; eight siblings, Eugene, Osby "Buck," Ira Jr., Frank, Andrew, Dorothy, Rufus, and Emma "Chat." She leaves to cherish her memory, her two sons, Roy Moffett, Sr. (Maria) and Joe Johnson (Lillie); three grandchildren whom she raised as her own, Cedrick Craft, Derrick Craft (Emily), and Shenika Byrd (Fredrick); one sister, Carrie Mae; and one brother, Rev. DeFarris Johnson (Pinellafie); along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and two special friends, Arletha Turner and Marie Merchant.

Pallbearers: Ramon Moffett, Roy Moffett, Jr., Eugene Bookman, Kerry Pinkney, Donald Ford, Sr., Corey Johnson, Sr.

Honorary Pallbearers: Roy Moffett, Sr., Joe Johnson, Cedrick Craft, Derrick Craft, Shawndrick Ross, Fredrick Byrd

Arrangements are under the direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.