Mother Tapps

Ella Tapps' amazing life journey began October 30, 1918, in Clinton, Louisiana. Born to the union of the late Eugene and Cindy Dunn Washington, Ella was the ninth of 13 children. She was preceded in death by her 12 siblings, her son, Robert Norman, her daughter, Rosemary Moore, and her granddaughter, Sheila Norman. Ella received her formal education in the public school system up through the eighth grade. In 1935, she united in holy matrimony to Robert Norman. To this union, she became the mother of Shirley, Rosemary, and Robert, Jr. Later, Ella married Leon Tapps, and to this union her daughter Linda Jean was born. By profession, Ella worked in the dry cleaning business in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In July 1964, Ella moved to Denver, Colorado. At that time in her life, Denver just didn't feel right for her so in 1966, she moved to Berkeley, California where she lived for 29 years. While in Berkeley, Ella worked as a housekeeper in the private sector. Ella was a member of Abyssinia Baptist Church and later Temple of Peace. Both churches were in Oakland, California. She served as an usher and was always involved in many church activities. Ella's favorite pastime was baseball – she loved those Oakland A's! If she wasn't watching them on TV – you could bet she had that radio tuned in to the game. Ella looked forward to regular summer visits from her grandchildren. She took them to baseball games, amusement parks, shopping, to the beach – just anywhere that she could enjoy being with them. Ella moved back to Denver, Colorado in 1994 to be located closer to her family. A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Ella became a dedicated member of Peaceful Rest Baptist Church (PRBC) where she joined under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Charles D. Survine. She was a member of the Mother's Board, served on the mission, and participated with Seniors on the Move. Ella was also an honorary usher at PRBC. Ella was a loving and devoted mother to her four children. They spent quality time together – learning, growing, and loving one another. Ella was full of wisdom, faith and love. She was the head of the family, and the rock that held her family together. She never stopped encouraging all of her family members to be the best individuals that they could be. She was a strong, meticulous woman – mentally, physically, and spiritually. She always displayed a willingness to serve and brought out the best in others. There was never a day in her 94 years of life that she did not have a kind word for people –whether she knew them or not. Ella Tapps departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on August 9, 2013. In the last months of her life she appreciated the devotion of her grandson, Reggie; her granddaughter, Rhonda; and her long-time friend, Mary Lee Jackson. Those left to cherish her memory include two daughters, Shirley (Herman) Humphries and Linda J. (Edmond R.) Brown; 16 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 13 great, great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funeral and Cremation - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Visitation: 8/16/2013 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 8/17/2013 at 11:00 AM - Peaceful Rest Baptist Church - 1195 Lima Street Aurora, CO
Cemetery: 8/17/2013 - Eastlawn Memorial Gardens - 19600 East Smith Road Aurora, CO