Ella N. Turner Henderson

Our Loving and Devoted Mother, Sister, and Friend – Life Reflections

Ella “Ellie” Nora Turner Henderson was born on May 23, 1946 to the late Herman and Laura Ruth Heath in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents eventually bought a family home and settled in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia.  Ella attended Philadelphia Public Schools, graduating from Roosevelt Junior High and Germantown High school. She was a great student and was particularly fond of English, winning several awards for her excellent work. It was during her early years in Philadelphia, where Ella would meet her life-long friends/Sisters – Sandy, Gloria. They enjoyed many years of friendship and sisterhood.

After graduating from high school, Ella began working in the insurance industry. She would also give birth to her first child, Keenan. Ella and Keenan would eventually move to New York where she worked for North American Reinsurance Company for almost 30 years. She was very proud of working in the insurance industry and it left quite an impression on her children - two of her three children are now working in the insurance industry as well.

After arriving in New York, Ella married her long-time friend, Marvin Henderson. Their union would produce two children – Kareem and Kaiesha. The family would eventually buy a home and settle in the Jamaica, Queens section of New York. It was during her middle and later years living in New York that Ella would meet an incredible group of friends she would also claim as sisters: Effie, Valerie, Loma, and Yvonne. These friends spent years loving and supporting each other through the good and bad times in life. We should all be so lucky to have such great friendships in our lives.

Ella lived a full and blessed life that included traveling to many new places and enjoying music concerts with her friends. As everyone that knows her would agree, Ella was the ultimate “Diva”. She was always impeccably dressed with hair freshly styled. You better not try to take a picture without giving her time to prepare – she wasn’t having it!  An intelligent and very thoughtful woman, Ella was known for giving great advice. She also had many Ella-isms – “This too shall Pass” is one we are sure all of her children and friends will agree was her favorite. She was a member and attended church services at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. She was a woman that walked in faith and lived by her spiritual values; always looking to be a source of inspiration or support to others.

After surviving cancer and battling complications of diabetes and kidney failure for over a decade, Ella made her transition on April 16, 2021. She will surely receive her crown of glory in the heavenly kingdom of our Lord and Saviour.

Ella taught us the importance of living life to the fullest, speaking your mind, and loving your family and friends as hard as you can. We will miss her spirited nature, quick wit, and endless energy! She was preceded in death by her late husband – Marvin Henderson; parents – Herman and Laura Ruth; sister – Fannie; niece - Rhonda. She leaves behind to cherish and celebrate her memory: her brother – Herman Jr; her children - Keenan Turner, Kareem Henderson [Kysha Henderson], Kaiesha Henderson; her grandchildren – Keyandra and Keianna Turner, Maiya and Jalen Turner [mother Dawn], and Kareem Henderson Jr; her cousin – Bunny; her close friends – Sandy, Gloria, Helen, Effie, Valerie, Loma, and Yvonne; and a host of other friends and family members.

Job well done Ellie!

Submitted With Love,

The Family  

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