Ella Mae Downes

Ella Mae Hollis Downes A.K.A. Mommy, Mom-Mom, Mom-Mom Mae, Miss Mae, Aunt Mae, Cousin Mae was born in Hope, Maryland on December 8, 1930, to the late Howard Hollis, Sr., and Frances Dean Hollis. She transitioned from this life to eternity on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at Christiana Hospital. She was 90 years old. She was raised in Hope, MD where she also attended school. At a young age, she moved to Wilmington, DE. Mommy held several jobs in her lifetime with the most recent being Allen Family Foods where she retired twice, once in 1995 and again in 2010. Her favorite things to do were word search puzzles, watching old westerns, old TV sitcoms and listening to country music. Walking to the mailbox everyday is how she got her exercise. To keep herself busy Mommy insisted on washing and ironing clothes. Everything had to be ironed and folded just right. She also loved to brag to everyone about her new car that she never got to drive. Mommy loved all of her family, especially the boys, sons and grandsons alike. According to her, they could do no wrong. Every day she anticipated her daily call; sometimes twice from her grandson Tomarious, who was also the only one who could get her out of the house. He would say Mom-Mom lets go riding and her response would be as she was putting on her shoes, “Where we going.” In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sons; James Hollis and Phillip Hollis; brothers; Howard Hollis, Sr, and Clarence Hollis; her sister and brother-in-law, Rosetta and Eddie Johnson, Her bonus son Mervin Johnson, granddaughter Lashaya’ Stanford; great grandson Ta’Jhon Hammond; bonus grand and great-grandchildren Valerie Johnson, Valnique Freeman and Janaija Johnson. She leaves to cherish her memories her sons Wilson Downes (Paula), Smyrna, DE; Arthur Downes (Alfreda), Dover, DE; Nathaniel Downes (Sharon), Clayton, DE and bonus son Keith Chester, Felton, DE. Her daughters Charlotte Stanford, Preston, MD; Nancy Downes, Denton, MD; Dedra Hicks (Arvel), Ridgely; and Sia Mullen, Washington DC., 31 grandchildren; 58 great grandchildren; 56 great great grand children and 2 great great great grand children and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Ella Mae Downes

December 8, 1930 - November 3, 2021