Obituaries

Ethel Mae Johnson Ellis, affectionately known as "Pookie" by family and friends, transitioned peacefully to her eternal home Sunday, August 11, 2024. She was the fourth child born to the late Cornelius “Pete” Johnson Sr. and Margaret Carter Johnson on Wednesday, March 8, 1961.
She was a graduate of the Northside High School Class of 1978, and over her life she worked numerous jobs but retired as Supervisor in the Compstat Department of the Memphis Police Department in 2021.
Ethel was very loving and compassionate to everyone in her life including strangers and the unhoused. She will always be remembered for her personal benevolence ministry which included mailing cards to everyone in her address book.
She was preceded in death by her parents Cornelius and Margaret Johnson, brothers Johnny Crosby Sr. and Michael Johnson, sister Robin Johnson Spencer, niece Gail Johnson Baker and grandson Ashton James McDonald.
She leaves to cherish her memory her husband Norman “Tracy” Ellis; two daughters Kearea (Alfred) Ellis Brady and Ashley (Nicholas) Ellis McDonald; two grandsons, Alijah Lennox and Andersen Lane; one granddaughter, Aubree MaeAnn; four brothers Ellis (Carva) Spann Jr., of Collierville, TN, Jerry (Mattie) Johnson Sr., Cornelius Johnson Jr. of Memphis, TN and Gregory (Debra) Johnson Sr. of Mound Bayou, MS; mother-in-law Elza Ellis of Stuttgart, Arkansas; extended families: Brady, Byrd, Nelson and Partee; a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901) 379-0861.
Previous Events
Visitation
23
Aug
1930 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
Service
23
Aug
1930 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
Committal Service
23
Aug
4000 Forest Hill Irene Road
Memphis, TN 38125
Cemetery Details
Location
4000 Forest Hill Irene Road
Memphis, TN 38125