1
tree
planted in memory of La'Kenya Denise Ellis
Obituary for La'Kenya Denise Ellis
A Time to Shine
La’Kenya Denise Ellis was born on January 17, 1984, to the parents of Morris Lee Ellis and Vivian Marie Ellis in Gainesville, Florida.
A Time to Love, Live and Give
She was the second of three siblings reared in a Christ centered home and was a lifelong member of Jerusalem Church of God by Faith under the pastorate of the late Elders N.R. Burney, Mark C. Welch, Milton May, Daniel E. Gainey and Superintendent Duane E. Gainey, to whom she was under the leadership of until her transition.
In her early childhood, Kenya accepted Christ into her life. Even as a child, she was a praiser. She would sing and play the tambourine as loud as she could, making a joyful noise unto the Lord! Kenya joined Jerusalem’s Primary Junior & Young Adult Choirs and was also part of the Praise & Worship Ensemble for a short period which helped groom and develop a passion for singing. She was also a lover of all things choir music and HEAVY vibrato.
Early on, during one of the church productions, Kenya overcame her fear of speaking in public. She was charged to recite a black history speech, while nerves took over, the moderator (Bobbie Jean Carter, Aunt) encouraged her to read from the script and said, “Breathe Kenzie, Breathe”. From there, she went on to the big stage where she thrived in her own right as a local sensation.
Kenya was a great cook, a wonderful baker (those cheesecakes were AMAZING), a gifted artist that hand-drew, complexed art, a well-known and detail-oriented hair braider, and an avid thespian extraordinaire starring in local stage plays such as “Beehive, The Color Purple, Dreamgirls, Soul of Broadway, Mama, I Want To Sing, Once on this Island, Black Voices under the direction of Rhonda Wilson of Star Center Theatre. She also played as the infamous “Mrs. Davenport” under the Jerusalem Church of God By Faith Sunday School Drama Ministry. There will never be another “Mrs. Davenport” like Kenya. She was one of a kind!
Kenya was a member of G.A.N.G Community Choir & most recently The Simmons Family Choir where she served as an active and integral part of the Soprano section. She was also a valued collaborator of the Sunday School Drama Ministry as well as Star Center Theatre.
Not only was she a star on stage, she shined behind the curtains. Kenya gave back to the community by providing breakfast, lunch and dinner to the homeless, the less fortunate, she cared for the sick and shut in and she had a soft spot for all the little children in her family.
Kenya was famous for her sweet treats (Cheesecakes) and international cuisine. She loved to laugh and have a good time with family and friends. Kenya, along with friends and family, often stayed up in the wee hours of the night laughing and having a good time. If you knew Kenya, she meant what she said and said what she meant, but she also had a caring spirit. During her last days, Kenya desired to show kindness to show her appreciation for a particular nurse who cared for during her short stay in the hospital because “He has been very good to me…” she said. Kenya also gathered her Mother, Father and youngest sister together with a sense of urgency as she made some of her famous sides and other foods the family frequently enjoyed. Unbeknownst to them this would be the last time they would break bread together; “The Last Supper”; one that will be cherished forever.
A Time to Learn
Kenya matriculated through the Alachua County School system attending Williams Elementary, Westwood Middle & is a graduate of The Class of 2002 from Buchholz High School, Gainesville, FL. She was a Licensed Cosmetologist graduating from Bly’s School of Cosmetology. Her hands were gifted…specializing in braids, nails and all things beauty. Kenya also attended Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL. Kenya worked as a Telemarketer and a Child Care Provider for many years.
A Time to Pluck
She was preceded in death by paternal grandparents: Doris Ellis (Lorraine Ellis) and Deacon Reginald Johnson; Maternal Grandparents: Hattie Mae Jordan and George Jordan; Aunts: Yvonne Johnson, Frencina Jordan, Jeanette Brown (Leroy Brown), Irma Jean Houser, Gail Washington, Ola Mae O’Neal (Charlie), Eloise O’Neal (Deacon Arthur), Pauline Wilson, Bobbie Jean Carter, and Carrie Walker; Uncles: Gregory Ellis and Robert Simmons.
A Time for Peace
On Sunday, August 13, 2023, God whispered in her ear: “Kenya, no more suffering,” and she gracefully surrendered to HIS voice entering into Abraham’s Bosom. The Hem of Him Healed Her Body!
A Time to Embrace
Her memory will be forever held in the hearts of her parents: Morris and Vivian Ellis, Sisters: Fontella Jones, Orlando, FL., Marriette Ellis, Gainesville FL., Nephews: Xavier and Jordan Jones of Orlando, FL., Special adopted nephew, Amir “Uncle” Hutchinson, Special adopted Nieces: Ari’Anna & Aubrielle Hutchinson all of Gainesville, FL., Grandmother Zola Mae Johnson of Gainesville, FL., Aunts: Victoria McAllister and Cynthia Jordan of Orlando, FL., Pam Ellis, Charon Burke (McArthur), Chennett Brown (Mario), all of Gainesville, FL., Faye Pinkney (George) of Hawthorne, FL., Pastor Palenthia Boswell (Bernard) of High Springs, FL., La’Kesha Ruff (Demetrius) of Alachua, FL., and Cynthia Scott (Selah) of Middle Island, New York, Uncles: Eric Johnson (Nikki) of Gainesville, FL., Willie Houser, Sr. of Warner Robins, Georgia, Reginald Jordan, Orlando, FL; Great Aunts: Katherine Simmons, Evangelist Gladys Ellis (Ernest), Great Uncle: Alvin Simmons (Alfreda), and Aaron Wilson, Sr. all of Gainesville, FL., Godmother: Alice Hostellier Godchildren: Jasmine Fleming, Damarian Darling, Ariel Hutchinson, Brandon Lee Hall, Jahnae McGriff, Napria Ellis, Jalen ’A-Mare’ Riley, Adrian and Adrianna Weaver-Martin, Godsisters: Moana Parker of Palatka, FL., Ayannia Hill and Katrina Denise Hutchinson both of Gainesville, FL, & a vast number of cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
25
Aug
2:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Pinkney-Smith Funeral Home - Gainesville
727 NW 2nd Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
Visitation
Saturday
26
Aug
2:00 PM
- 2:30 PM
Jerusalem Church Of God By Faith
1230 NE 156 Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32609
Service
Saturday
26
Aug
2:30 PM
Jerusalem Church Of God By Faith
1230 NE 156 Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32609
Cemetery Details
Location
Forest Meadows Cemetery - East
3700 SE Hawthorne Road
Gainesville, FL 32640
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