Ellen M. "Ella Mae" Harmon

A Time to be Born – Ellen Mae Blake Harmon was born on September 20, 1945 in Accomac, Virginia to the late Henry L. Strand and Annie M. Strand.
A Time to Learn – "Ella Mae," as she was affectionately known, was educated in the Accomack County Public School system. She received her diploma from Mary N. Smith High School in Accomac, Virginia.
A Time to Serve – Ella dedicated her life to Christ at an early age at Macedonia AME Church in Accomac, Virginia. In 1975, she left the Eastern Shore and relocated to Washington, DC. In DC, she worked as a custodian for 3 years. In later years, Ella returned home to her roots and began working at Redwood Gables Restaurant in Onley, Virginia. She worked at the restaurant for forty-seven years until the restaurant was sold. Every-one loved her chicken and dumplings, turnip greens, and clam fritters. In later years, she began working at Rita's Restaurant in Parksley, Virginia. She worked there until Rita's untimely passing.
A Time to Love – Ella was blessed with two children, Denise Bagwell and Wanda Smith.
A Time to Live – Ella was always laughing and smiling. She loved dancing and clowning with her grandchildren. Ella loved site seeing and going to the stores. Her favorite pastime was talking on the phone with her daughters, son-in-law, brothers, and her two dear friends, Karen and Sarah. Her family was her pride and joy and the most important thing in her life.
A Time to Rest – On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Ella unexpectedly slipped away from this life at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Onancock, Virginia.
A Time of Peace – Ella leaves the following loved ones to carry on her legacy of love, her loving daughters, Wanda Smith (Steward) and Denise Bagwell (Samuel); brothers, Theopholis Strand, Sr. and Eugene Strand (Tammy); grandchildren, Tamika Lilliston, Marcel Bagwell, Lakeya Lilliston, and Jamar Pitts (Christy); eleven great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Vandelia Blake; good friend, Karen Burton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Ella had two wonderful caregivers, her daughter Wanda, who made sure she got to all of her appointments and wherever else she need to go, and her granddaughter, Tamika. Her two grandsons would also step in to assist their grandmother when needed. The doctors and nurses loved seeing Ella, she would always have a smile and laugh through it all. She never let her condition get her down, she continued to smile. Ella also enjoyed visiting and going on trips with her daughter and son-in-law. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ellen M. "Ella Mae" Harmon (Blake), please visit our Tree Store.