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Light a Candle
Cherishing the Life of Ellen Presson Tribute to our Mommy Ellen was blessed into this world 1/27/1951 to Ruth McCray and Joseph Gilliam. Ellen enjoyed being the younger sister to Josephine Richardson who she also worked with at the same office for years they also attended church together every Sunday, and the older sister to Marcella Givens who she would talk to every day sometimes several times a day often not saying a word but just enjoying the energy their bond shared over the phone, and Geraldine Geary her sweet baby sister whom she could never stop talking about how her love was so endearing. The stories they all share could last a lifetime and beyond. There was not a day that went by without hearing Ellen and Dorinda Thomas talking on the phone as cousin do about life, family and goals. Her beautiful soul attracted many close friends who also became her sisters including Roberta Ellis and Inez Satterthwaite you could never interrupt their time watching " The Have and the have nots". Ellen's legacy is left in the eyes of many who encountered her beautiful smile. While attending Our Lady of the Holy souls she developed the skills needed to obtain a long position as a Clerk Typist at the Common Wealth of Pennsylvania Ogontz District where she worked for over 30 years before she retired. Ellen loved her position and enjoyed many life-long friends that became family. Ellen was a devoted and Faithful servant of the Lord. At any moment if you came to her in despair she would immediately send you to the Lord in prayer. Ellen always had prayer cards, Bible verses and personal letters to God to help guide your way. Ellen was a prayer warrior she prayed for two beautiful girls. In 1973 God answered the first step to Ellen's prayer and united Ellen and Charles Presson in holy matrimony. The love they shared was unimaginable they were inseparable until God called Charles home in 2006. Through this union her sisterhood grew with her sister in laws Marilyn Presson-Nealy and Joye Presson. They shared love and laughter that will become moments and memories to be cherished forever. During this faithful love connection Ellen and Charles became the parents of two beautiful girls LaToya and Tiffany Presson. For over 44 years Ellen reminded her girls through her words, actions and quality time how God had granted her wishes of becoming a mother. Ellen did whatever was in her power to love on her girls by supporting their years in catholic school, college, graduate school, yearly trips to wildwood, countless extracurricular activities, purchasing their individual their homes and starting businesses. Whatever their dreams were Ellen was there to encourage and support their goals. Ellen and her girls (as she affectionately called them) were inseparable. Ellen's girls were her life, not only was she a mother to them she was also their best friend. She enjoyed spending time with them daily from shopping, to attending festivals and family gatherings or just sitting around watching movies and having deep conversations about life, love and everything in between. Ellen and her girls spent long nights dancing and singing together to her favorite reggae songs. Ellen simply adored her family as they did her. She helped to raise so many other children throughout her life. She sat in the delivery room with family members who were alone, she was always the first one to volunteer her time from praying at your hospital sick bed to helping with anything from babysitting, teaching, or just giving words of inspiration or encouragement. All while catching the bus. No matter who needed her or where you were she was always the first one there. When finding out she would be a grandmother Ellen was ecstatic God had had tripled her prayers. Charli was the light of her life. Ellen was with Charli every single day, they spent hours laughing and playing and nights reading books and singing songs. She loved teaching Charli new things, making doll clothes for her baby dolls, doing her hair and watching Charli grow. She attended every activity and school event that Charli had and enjoyed being the best grandmother she could be. Anyone that met Ellen would immediately connect to her. She took pride in not only her friends but in her daughter’s friends as well. There was not a birthday, graduation, holiday or achievement that Ellen would not send a card to acknowledge (cards were her favorite sentiments). She made everyone feel at home and would give not only her time, advice, love, money and prayers but also her opened up her home on numerous occasions for family and friends in need. Let’s not forget all of the basement parties and events held at her home where she always made everyone feel welcome. Ellen loved her mother Ruth McCray with all her heart and soul some of her last words were “I miss my mommy” and “I want to see my mom”. Their Bond was so strong that their energy couldn't bear to separate. Ruth McCray proceeded Ellen in death on 11/16/ 20 and waited for 11/29/20 as they walked hand and hand as mother and daughter into the next journey of eternity. Left to shine her light Ellen leaves her two daughters, granddaughter, three sisters, three sister-in law’s, two brother-in-law’s, cousins, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews friends and loved ones. A letter from Charli Dear mom mom “Thank you for helping me open my toys, thank you for buying me everything I want for Christmas, thank you for making me breakfast and playing with me. Thank you for picking me up from school, and helping me build forts. Thank you for always doing my hair. Mom Mom I want you to know I now know how to whistle. I love you to pieces Love your chew chew (Charli)” Every night the exchange would be "Good night Girls I love you" And her girls would reply "Good night mommy we love you too"
