May Ellen Temple

Mary Ellen Temple, age 97, of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025, at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center. Born on November 5, 1927, she lived a long and full life devoted to her family, her faith, and her community.
Mary Ellen was a very loving and devoted member of Ramoth Gilead Baptist Church, where she worshipped and served faithfully for many years. To know her was to love her. Her strong faith, servant's heart, and gentle spirit touched countless lives. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose warmth and kindness were felt by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Elmer J. Temple; her sisters, Violet and Lucy; her brother, Billy; and her parents, William and Maggie Sue Russell.
She is survived by her devoted daughter, Tebia Temple; her granddaughter, Kelli Eason (Robbie); and five cherished great-grandchildren: Hailey, Hannah, Brooke, Bo, and Luke. She is also survived by her brother, Carlton (Marie); a special family friend, Kay Acurio; and many special friends.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Ramoth Gilead Baptist Church, 1308 Schoolhouse Road, Elizabeth City, NC, with the Rev. Ken Littleton officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives for a visitation at Twiford Memorial Chapel, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. At all other times, the family will be available for visiting at her granddaughter's residence.
Donations may be made securely online to the https://bit.ly/MaryEllenTempleMemorialFund, in person at Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, or mailed to Twiford Funeral Homes, P.O. Drawer 405, Elizabeth City, NC 27907. The family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the Jon Jackson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Karen Jackson, 691 Firetower Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, a cause that was close to Mary Ellen's heart.
Her legacy of love, faith, and service will continue to live on in all who were blessed to know her.
Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is serving the Temple Family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of May Ellen Temple, please visit our floral store.