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Mother Ella Mae Middleton Owens, daughter of the late Elease Winns Middleton, was born July 2, 1932, in St. Stephen, South Carolina.  She departed this life on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at her residence.

Ella was educated in the public schools of Berkeley County, South Carolina. At an early age she became a member of the family church, Allen AME Church, St. Stephen, SC, where she actively served into her adulthood years.

Ella was joined in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Moses Owens on August 16, 1947.  To this union, they were blessed with three sons - Johnny, Moses Jerome and Bernard - and a first cousin, Lucille, she reared as her own upon the death of her aunt, Alice Winns.

Ella later joined Mt. Carmel AME Church, Moncks Corner, SC, where she continued actively serving the church until her health began to fail. Ella was a faithful member of the Church School, Usher Board, Senior Choir, Spiritual Wings Gospel Choir, Women's Missionary Society, Daughters of Sarah, Lay Organization, Stewardess Board, Trustee Board, and Steward Board. For many years, she served as a delegate to the Palmetto Annual Conference, along with her riding partner, Sis. Evelyn Gethers. In the late 1970s, she also served as Historiographer for the Lay Organization of the Palmetto Annual Conference. Ella wholeheartedly believed and taught her children the importance of serving God and the church.

Ella was a servant in the community.  She was a member of the Santee Circle Park Committee and the Santee Circle Fire Department Advisory Board.  She also a member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter No. 161 (Moncks Corner, SC).  She worked for William Heller Manufacturing Plant and Berkeley County School District Food Service Department.  Ella retired from Berkeley County School District in 1993. However, she continued her service with the summer feeding program into the 2000s.

Ella will be missed for her stern, but loving mannerisms. She meant what she said and said what she meant! She was not afraid to speak her mind. However, she had a loving spirit that drew many family members, friends and family of her in-laws to consider her as an Adopted Mother and dedicated friend.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Mr. Moses Owens; sons, Johnny (Rosa) Owens, Moses Jerome Owens, and Bernard Owens; grandsons, Craig Owens and Quinton Owens; and brother, Leroy Middleton, Jr.

Ella leaves behind a loving family to cherish her memory: her daughter, Lucille L. Winns; brother, Arthur (Ernestine) Middleton; daughter-in-law, Margaret R. Owens; grandchildren, Dr. Cynthia O. (Rev. Dr. Brian L.) Williams, Michael Owens, Terresa O. (Eugene) Martin, Reginald (Ikea) Owens, Octavia O. Gaines and Kadijah L. Winns; 21 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; two nieces and one nephew, Rhoda M. Middleton, Jeanine Middleton, and Ferenda Middleton; several dedicated cousins, Diane Winns Milford, Alice Kate Winns Fogle, Evangelist Melinda Winns Horry, Vera Gates, and Geraldine McFadden; devoted and longtime friends, Mothers Lillie Mae Jasper, Evelyn Gethers, and Francis Bryant; two goddaughters, Deborah B. (Rev. Don L.) Shaw and Vanessa W. Rogers; and a host of other special and dedicated family and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, June 24, 2024, 11:00 a.m., at Mt. Carmel AME Church, 1059 Old Black Oak Road, Moncks Corner, SC. The body will repose at the church from 10:00 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. There will be no viewing after the service. Interment will be in the church's cemetery. Viewing will be held Sunday, June 23, 2024, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

The service will be live streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/gethersfh

The family is receiving friends at their residence from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. In consideration of everyone's health and safety, they kindly request that face masks be worn while visiting the residence.

We kindly ask that you keep this family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.