She accepted Christ at an early age & was baptized at the 11th Street Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Horace Amerson. The family later joined the Philippian Missionary Baptist. Church under the Pastoral leadership of the late Rev. Major Amerson Sr.  Ella Mae served as a youth Sunday school teacher and was a member of the Fidelity Chorus of Lima, OH.  She later relocated to Cleveland, Ohio to continue her education, she joined the Historical Greater Friendship Baptist Church  under the Pastoral care of the late Rev C.T. Nelson. & now present presiding Pastor, Dr. Larry Howard. Ella served for many years as President of the Willing workers auxiliary, she was a dedicated member of the church & served willingly in The faith based community of Cleveland. She was loved & cherished by many for her creativity when organizing fund raisers helping support the ministries of her church, the community & her co-workers & friends who called her Ms. E.J. while residing in Cleveland Ohio for over 58 yrs.

She earned her Associates and Bachelor degree in nursing & later received her state of Ohio nursing license she later retired from Lakeside/University hospitals. But her greatest achievement was being a loving mother to her daughter Allison Lynn Joiner who preceded her in death. In 2016 Ella returned to her home town of Lima, Ohio. She was welcomed back into her home church the Philippian Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Dr B.L Monford, Sr.

On December 23, 2020,  God called Ella to rest from her earthly state of life to her heavenly state.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories; a son; Antonio Westbrooks (Equanna) of Northbrook, Ohio.  Son-in-law; LaBarron Springer of Dayton, OH.  Brother-in-law; Pastor David Watts of Cleveland, Ohio.  2 sisters-in-law; Eleanor Joiner of Toledo, OH and Maxine Joiner of Cleveland, OH.   12 nieces, 7 nephew's, a host of great nieces and nephew's.

Preceding her in eternal rest were 7 siblings; Josephine Gray, Joann Humphries, John Wesley Jr., Elton Joiner Sr., Johnnie Mae Watts, Jimmie Joiner & Mae Francis Joiner