Alma Ellis went home to be with the Lord on December 27th, 2011. Mrs. Ellis, a Native Mohawk Indian, was born on December 13th, 1927 on a reservation in Canada to the late James Lucas and Maggie Shaw. The family later migrated to Durham, North Carolina where Alma attended school as a young child. She graduated from high school at the age of 13 and continued her education at Duke University until the age of 16. One year later, Mrs. Ellis relocated to East Orange, NJ, where she met and wed her late husband, Lal Ellis. The couple later moved to Newark, NJ, where they remained in marriage for 59 years. From this union they were blessed with 8 children. Mrs. Ellis was politically involved with many affairs in Newark, where she was well known and respected. She was district leader for the Central Ward in Newark, and in her spare time also taught in Newark schools. Alma was a loving wife and devoted mother, known to take care of not only her children and grandchildren, but anyone that was in need of assistance, whether related or not. She was once a faithful member to her church; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located in Short Hills, NJ before becoming ill. Mrs. Ellis is predeceased by her late husband, Lal Ellis, her daughter Carolyn Blanding, and son Lemuel Ellis, but leaves behind to cherish her memory 5 loving daughters: Cassandra Opara and husband Maurice Opara of Plainfield, NJ, LaRal Greggs and husband Elliot Scudder of Virginia Beach, VA, Madelené Reaves and husband Anthony Reaves of Piscataway, NJ, Joyce Gerstorfer and husband George Gerstorfer of North Plainfield, NJ, and Patricia Ellis and husband Michael Brown of Vauxhall, NJ; as well as a loving son, Warren Ellis and former wife Karen Wimberley of Newark, NJ. In addition, she leaves three generations of grandchildren totaling over 70 that love and adore her. Alma Ellis was a woman that made her known through the love she showed for others and will never be forgotten. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Alma Ellis. You are invited to add a Tribute in her memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add our own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.