Obituary of Ella B. Wiley

Ella B. (Brown) Wiley 89 of Lockport, New York entered into rest on May 27, 2023, after a long and full life. She was very loved and will be missed terribly. She was born August 30, 1933, in Tifton, Georgia to the late James C. and Lillie Maud Brown and the stepdaughter of the late Dorothy Mae Brown. She was married for 47 years to the late George W. Wiley, Sr. She moved to Lyndonville, New York in 1960 and to Lockport, New York in 1970. She loved the Lord and never failed to find a church home; she first joined Rochelle Baptist Church in Moultrie, Georgia, then Bethel Baptist Church in Medina, NY, Friendship Baptist Church, Lockport, NY and finally Christ Community Church, Lockport, NY. She worked at R.J. Reynolds and retired from Wyndham Lawn Children’s Center where she was the Head Cook for 17 years. In addition to raising her family, she also volunteered by serving on the Board of Education, Housing Authority, Policy Council for Head Start and was Superintendent of her Church’s Sunday School Program.

Ella is survived by her children, Ellen Goins and Ethel Shellman of Niagara Falls, NY, Roland Wiley, Gloria Flowers, George (Julie) Wiley, Jr., John (Diane)Wiley, Lori Wiley, of Lockport, NY, Lillie (Benathen) Upshaw of Clarence, NY, Carlos (Michelle) Wiley of Lancaster, PA, and Tunishya (Joseph) Jones of Chesapeake, VA, 31 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren. She is the sister of Samuel (Erma) Brown of Tifton, Georgia, and Cora (Flemming) Alberta of Jacksonville, FL. Ella was pre-deceased by two sisters, two brothers, her beloved grandchildren; Fredrick Hollis IV, Alan Michael Flowers, Courtney Wiley Blue, a daughter-in-law; Gwendolyn Robinson-Wiley, and a son-in-law; Fredrick Hollis.

Ella was well loved within her community and was a compassionate spirit whose passion was caring for others especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. A prayer warrior, Ella’s greatest wish was for her children to know Christ and often told them without Christ we could do nothing. Her family brought her great joy, and she was the happiest when in the midst of them all. Despite her large family Ella made time for everyone and she always provided support and love for her family and friends. She worked tirelessly to provide for her family and was proud of every one of her children. And all her children were proud to call her, “Mama”.

Relatives and friends are invited to a funeral service Thursday, June 1 at 12 noon in Christ Community Church, 140 Genesee St., Lockport.  Interment will be in Cold Springs Cemetery.