Elsie Ray Ewing

On September 9, 2025, our beloved Elsie Ray Ewing finished her race and entered eternal rest. Elsie was born on July 17, 1949 to Ida Mae Pimpton (Queen Esther Evans) and Elsie Ervin. Her life was not without trials, but she met every challenge with resilience and courage. From a young age, she endured hardships that would have broken many, yet she rose each time. She was a fighter in every sense of the word – a survivor of addiction, of heart troubles, and even cancer twice over. Her strength became the shelter for her family, and her love became their foundation.

She married the love of her life, SFC Kenneth Eugene Ewing (Retired), on January 13, 1975. Together they built a home filled with music, laughter, and good food – the very essence of The Good Times. She cooked three meals a day, ironed her husband’s BDUs with pride, and cared for her family with devotion. She did not have to work outside the home because Kenneth asked only one thing of her: to care for their family. And she did that with love, faithfulness, and joy.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Ida Mae Pimpton (Queen Esther Evans) and Elsie Ervin; her stepmother, Madea Lois Simmons; daughter, Kecha Rena Ewing; grandson, Tadrick Malik Hamilton; granddaughter, Dynasty Christina Ewing; sisters, Sherilyn Rene Ervin, Linda Joyce Ervin, Angela Rene Ervin, and Shirley Ann Simmons; and her brothers, Lawrence Ervin and Frederick Clyde Simmons. In addition, she was preceded by her beloved great-niece, Lauren Ervin; her special nephew whom she raised as a son, Eric James Ervin; her nephews, Darryl Lee Ervin and Mark Evans; and her great-great- nephew, Adrian Alexander, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband of 50 years, Kenneth Eugene Ewing; daughters,, Dana Michelle White, Ervette Franchelle Wilson, and Adrian Anne Ewing; sisters, Edith Laverne Brooks and Merrose Ervin; brothers, Lee Ervin (Marion), Charles Ervin (Glorietta), and Aaron Evans; twelve grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved her dearly.

Elsie’s grandchildren — Stanley Willis (Dana), Mazda Miata Wilson, Adraint Khadafi Bereal, Amin Malak Bereal (Ervette), Carlos Demond Ewing, Michael Travone Ewing, Alvin Hamilton III (Adrian), Shonti Ray Tirion Ewing, Ulysses Ray Estelle Jr., Nathan Aubrey Lloyd Jr., and Summer Skyii Curry (Kecha) — were her pride and joy. She practically raised many of them, and her love for them was unmatched.

Her great-grandchildren — Shiuniqce Willis, Taliyah Evans , Cali Willis (Stanely), Miata Christina Wright, Cahzii Wright (Mazda), Cayden Marcel Ewing (Carlos), Haylee Malayah Ewing (Michael, Shonti Ray Tirion Jr., John Michael Ewing, Grace Ann Ewing (Shonti), and Beckham Estelle (Ulysses) — brought her delight in her later years, and she always said grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a blessing, especially since she never knew her own grandparents.

Elsie cherished her nieces and nephews, raising more than a few as her own. She was known in the community as “Mama Elsie”. She would whoop your behind and then turn around and hand you a plate from her kitchen like nothing had happened. She could cuss you out and love you in the same breath. Her door was always open, and her love always abundant.

She was a beautiful woman inside and out. Though she didn’t trust easily, once she did, you had a friend for life. She loved to cook, loved to dance with her husband, loved the blues, and loved her Dallas Cowboys. Her laughter could fill a room, and her wisdom – born from struggle and grace – guided everyone who knew her.

To her siblings, she was a confidant and companion. To her children, she was a protector. To her grandchildren, she was a second mother. To her great-grandchildren, she was joy and laughter. To her husband, she was his forever love. To the community, she was Mama Elsie.

She was beauty. She was fire. She was love. Though her battles on earth are done, her spirit will live on.