Ella B. Pippens

Ella B Pippens, a Wife, Mother, Sister, Friend, Nurse, mentor, and best friend was born October 17, 1947 in Macon, Mississippi, the youngest child of the late Willie and Juanita Taylor. At an early age, Ella accepted Christ and was baptized while attending Mt. Nebo Methodist Church. Her faith remained an important part of her life and guided her service to her family, church, profession, and community.
Ella was raised and educated in Macon, Schlater, and later Greenwood, Mississippi. Ella graduated from Amanda Elzy High School in 1965. Following high school, Ella relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, and continued her education at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, earning an Associate of Science in Nursing and an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts.
While in St. Louis Ella met the love of her life, Willie Pippens, with whom she would share nearly 44 years of marriage. Willie and Ella were married on Christmas Day, December 25, 1976. From their union, four daughters were lovingly raised: Donna, Rasheda, Letitia, and MarQueta.
Throughout their marriage, Ella faithfully stood beside her husband in life and ministry. As a minister's wife and First Lady, she served alongside him at Gregg Chapel A.M.E. Church, St. Louis Christian Center (later Grow 2 Go Christian Center), and Impact Agape Ministries (I AM Ministries). Ella also served in the nursery ministry and health and wellness committee, always willing to use both her faith and her nursing knowledge to care for others.
Nursing was more than a profession for Ella; it was another expression of her compassionate spirit. She devoted more than 40 years of service to State Hospital, where she cared deeply for her patients and formed lasting relationships with her coworkers. Ella was the kind of nurse who carried her compassion beyond the workplace and into every part of her life.
To many, Ella was much more than a wife, mother and grandmother to her own family. She became an honorary mother and grandmother to countless others. She was loving, generous, compassionate, and a true straight shooter who always spoke her mind with honesty and confidence. She had room in her heart for everyone and possessed a strength that often led people to say she never looked like what she had been through
On September 25, 2026, Ella gained her heavenly wings, leaving behind a life marked by faith, service, resilience, family, and love.
Ella was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Willie Pippens; her parents, Willie and Juanita Taylor; her sisters, Minnie Willis, Myrtle Moore, Johnie McCarey; and her brothers, Willie Taylor Jr., Levi Taylor, and Eli Taylor.
She leaves to cherish her memory her four daughters and son-in-law: Donna Marie, Rasheda Cheilon, Letitia Danielle (Ron) Stout, and MarQueta Joycelynn; four grandchildren, Jadon Avery, Marissa Anita, Trystan Ronald Jaleel, and Skye Isabella; and one great-grandson, Kai Avery.

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