Ella Mae Lamberth Callender

Ella Mae Lamberth Callender was born on July 5, 1954 to the late Ernest C. and Margie Lee Lamberth in Clayton, North Carolina. After a valiant and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease, God called her home peacefully on December 13, 2020.

Ella was one of nine children in her family that included 6 sisters: Margie Ann Smith, Beatrice Marie Atkinson, Debra Kaye Davis, Linda Faye Emory, Sharon Renee Mangum, Shanetta Morgan and two brothers: Willie Clarence Lamberth and Leonard Bernard Lamberth. 

Accepting Christ at an early age, Ella truly loved the Lord and regularly attended services at Mount Vernon Christian Church and First Missionary Baptist Church in Clayton, North Carolina. Attending Johnston County Public Schools, she graduated in 1972 from Clayton High School in Clayton, North Carolina and enjoyed a career in bookkeeping and office management. 

Ella left Clayton in 1975 and moved to JC, NJ where she proudly raised her two children, Felicia Vannessa and David Leverne. She loved them with all her heart. In Jersey City, she lived on Crescent Avenue, becoming a part of the village of no-nonsense mothers who supported each other and nurtured the children in the neighborhood.

The love for Ella’s own children was superseded by the exuberance of pride and joy personified through her grandbabies, Kendall Anita Mae and Kaylin Ann Marie Robinson. Ella was amazed at the growth and maturity of her grandbabies with their gifts, talents, and servant hearts. They knew they had her love. She was the best “Nana” ever.

Everyone in the family loved Ella for her strength, wisdom, beautiful voice and especially for her no nonsense “tell it like it is” personality. She was truly the ‘spit-fire’ of the family in the most loving and best ways imaginable. There are too many of her famous words and sayings to list, but a quote she always engrained in her children was “Strive to Excel and Not to Equal!” She will be remembered as a very caring, generous and loving person. Her heart held enough love for everyone.  Her friends became extended family and Ella always went out of her way to help in any way she could. 

During the past 4 and a half years, we have been honored to provide excellent care for her as she battled Parkinson’s disease.  Her grandchildren were blessed to witness the strength of the woman they had always heard about. Her children are forever grateful that God chose them to be her children.

Ella was predeceased by her parents and one brother, Willie Clarence Lamberth. 

In addition to her loving children, Ella leaves to cherish her memory: two grandchildren: Kendall Anita Mae & Kaylin Ann Marie; six sisters: Margie Ann (James C.), Beatrice Marie, Debra Kaye, Linda Faye, Sharon Renee & Shanetta (Steve); one brother: Leonard Bernard and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and special friends who are thankful that she is resting in peace, but will miss her dearly.

We LOVE you, Ella!

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