Ella Mae Primers

Ella Mae (Ennis) Primers was born August 24, 1937, in Marianna, Arkansas to parents Willie B. McJunkins and Leola McCoy.  She was the third of seven children.  Ella received her education in Marianna, Arkansas.

In her early twenties, she moved to Omaha Nebraska with her husband, Clayborn Ennis Sr.  Ella was a mother of 8 children (6 boys and 2 girls).  

Her primary job was raising and nurturing her eight children.  She was not a contractor by trade. However, she did purchase properties by land contract and “personally” modified them to meet the needs of her family.  She said, “I always want to have a place for my children to have a roof over their heads.”  She also provided a place for friends and low-income individuals to live at an affordable cost. Believe it or not, she was a car salesman too (to her family and friends) LOL!

Ella gave her life to the Lord as a young woman. She was an active member of the King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor A.J. Wagstaff.  She was a great part of the music ministry.

Ella ministered and sang with many gospel quartets, musical groups, and choirs in and outside of Nebraska.  She played the piano and directed choirs for many churches around Omaha.   Boy! She certainly could light up the church with some PRAISE! 

Ella has been featured on Cox Cable KPQA Channel 22 with her program “Giving God The Praise” for over 35 years.  She spent countless hours preparing for her weekly program. Producer and good friend, Mr. Andrea Davis recorded and prepared her programs for many of those years.  She has been loved by her viewers and many have been blessed by her God-given talent.

Ella proceeded in death by her son, Antwynn Ennis: parents, Willie B. McJunkins and Leola McCoy; her sisters Viola Smith and Earlene Willis and her brother Deward McCoy.

Ella leaves to cherish her loving memories, her sons: Clayborn Ennis, Jr., Samuel (Wanda) Ennis, Damaion Ennis, Carlos Ennis, and Scottie Ennis (all of Omaha, Nebraska).   Her daughters: Karnetta (Maverick) Rushing, Omaha, Nebraska, and Shelly (Curtis) Ennis-Perry, Omaha, Nebraska; her grandchildren: Terrence Tryon, Natasha Veasley, Jeffrey (Jenaya) Ennis, Orion Gaines, Darius Gaines, Damion Davis, Deombre’ Brodie, Lamar Middlebrook, Shannon Ennis, Christopher Ennis, Amber Cervantes, Samuel Ennis Jr., and LaRhonda Perry: and twelve great-grandchildren.  Her brothers: are Herbert (Mae Ella) McCoy, Zion, Illinois, and Ozell (Lee) McCoy, Zion, Illinois: her sister: is Helen (Tyrone) Chandler-Jackson, Marianna, Arkansas.   a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.  

Visitation: Thursday (3/28/2024) from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Roeder Mortuary – Ames Chapel. Funeral Service: Friday (3/29/2024) 10:00 AM at King Solomon Baptist Church, 3202 Evans Street, Omaha, NE. Burial to follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery at Omaha, NE.  

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - Ames Chapel - 4932 Ames Ave - Omaha, NE - 402-453-5600 www.RoederMortuary.com