Ella Mae Hendrick

On Thursday, December 9, 2020, Ella Mae Hendrick, one of God’s most precious messengers of love on Earth, passed away at the age of 81. 

Ella was born on June 16, 1939 in Atlanta, GA.  She lived for some time in Chicago, and returned home to Atlanta to get married and have three children. After her children and husband were called home to God, Ella moved to Gainesville and then on to Dahlonega.  She resided at Northwoods Retirement Home for more than 10 years and recently moved to Gold City Convalescence.

Ella loved music!  She loved to sing Marvin Gaye (especially “Pride and Joy”), Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, and any good Baptist hymn.  Ella was a photographer and had her work auctioned at ConnectAbility’s Thousand Words project in 2016.   Ella loved her baby dolls and she loved all children, constantly proclaiming how “sweet” they all are.  When visiting with Ella, she would find one of her belongings, usually huge “bling” costume jewelry, and try to give it away because she always wanted to make others happy.  Ella loved attending Dahlonega Baptist Church’s VBS each year and she rarely missed a gathering by ConnectAbility in her many years in Dahlonega.  When gathering with friends, she enjoyed telling stories of her children, of going to the “picture show” in Atlanta, and talking about her birthday.  But, above all, Ella loved God.  She would lead prayers in group gatherings, thanking Jesus for her many blessings and asking Him to bless others.  

Ella was preceded in death by all of her biological family, including her most precious baby Pearl.  She was adopted in by many families, including Ella’s acting guardians Don and Kate McElliott, and their children Mitchell, Fiona, Luke, Desmond, and Robinson.  Jacqueline Daniel, the founder of ConnectAbility, and her family, James, Josie, and Jameson, made it possible for Ella to have so many connections in our community with the care ConnectAbility provides and they also loved her well. Ella had an abundance of friends because everyone she ever met was drawn to her.  She loved her family at Northwoods Retirement home, the Priday family, the Murray family and so many others. 

A celebration of life will be held this spring, outside in the garden, at the McElliott Family home in Dahlonega.  Cards for condolences can be sent to 4618 Camp Wahsega Rd, Dahlonega, GA  30533.  Donations can be made in Ella’s honor to ConnectAbility.  

To share a memory of Ella or a condolence with the family visit andersonunderwood.com.

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home, 2068 Highway 19 North, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533