Verlene "Madea" Ellington

Verlene "Madea" Ellington was born on October 12, 1934, in Phillips County, Arkansas to the late Curtis Pike and late Rosie Lee Frazier. Verlene departed this life on Friday, December 22, 2017. Her survivors are: LaVerne Paige, Dale, Jeffery (Loretta), Lueann, Wanda (Marvin), Wayne (Terrie), Charles (Donna), Czarney, Kendolyn (Carlton), Gwendolyn (Ricky), Donald (Luna), Kayla (Frank), sisters; Fayrene Davis, Doris Jean Davis, Inez Davis, Firmalee Cannon, Regina and Lecia (nieces), and Larry (nephew), 40 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren. She attributed her ability to manage the task of rearing fourteen children to her faith in God. When asked by others, as she often was, "How did you do it?" Her response was, "I laid hands on each of them and prayed for them and gave them each back to the Lord." Funeral service, Saturday, December 30, 2017, 11 a.m., River of Life Assembly of God Church, 9800 Nash Lane , Mabelvale, Ark. 72103. Visitation: Saturday, December 30, 2017, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Final viewing at 11 a.m. Burial at Arkansas State Veteran Cemetery, 11 a.m. on January 3, 2018. Family and friends may sign the guestbook at:www.brownseternallight.com.