ELMA FURGUSON ELLIS's Obituary
ELMA F. ELLIS passed away on May 18th, 2003. Born to Carrie Lou and Ruben Ferguson on November 25, 1916. Ellie, as her friends called her, lived an extraordinary life. She graduated from the Black School of Nursing in Columbia, S.C. Ellie then moved to Buffalo, NY where she worked as a registered nurse. Ellie In 1949, she pioneered the way for Negro nurses by being one of several original members of the first Negro Registered Nurses of Buffalo. In 1954, she entered the army as a registered nurse. Ellie rose up the ranks and eventually retired as a Captain in the ANC. Once she returned to the states, she moved to California where she met and married her beloved, Durnise Ellis. Together, they worked hard and built a wonderful life for themselves. Ellie loved to shop and travel and was well known by many as a classy lady. She will be dearly missed. She leaves behind a host of friends and relatives including: Fleur Sandiford, Elaine Jones, Peggy Heath, and Carla Mcaders.Family and friends are invited to attend Quiet Hour from 10 – 1pm, and funeral services to begin at 1pm on May 22, 2003. All services will be held at the Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Oakland, CA.
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