Ella Mae Simms was born to Mary George Limbrick and Lonnie Samuel on June 23, 1937, in DeRidder, Louisiana. She was a graduate of
Englewood High School in Chicago, Illinois. She pursued her Accounting Degree from Olive – Harvey College in Chicago later becoming a certified CPA. She was employed with Rock Island Railroad for over thirty years in the Chicago, Illinois, area.

She met and married Charles Simms on February 18, 1955. To this union four children were born. She later married Earnest Wilford and Steve Eiland, whom all preceded her in death.

Ella moved to the Jasper area in 2003. She was a member of the Living Word Worship Center under Pastor Frankie Bootie. In her spare time, she enjoyed going to the Casino. She would often call around to see who was ready to go with her. She definitely had a green thumb,
growing anything. She also enjoyed reading, capentry, solitaire, dancing, and singing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie and Mary Samuel; husbands, Charles Simms, Earnest Willford, and Steve Eiland; special friend, Willie Wright; son, Don Wadlington; and siblings, Rose Mary Samuel Waldington, Denise Samuel, and Margo Samuel.

Ella leaves to cherish her memories: seven children, Rose Mary McCray, Shawronah Johnson, Dr. Ryeal Simms, Charles Simms, Brandon Simms, Willie Simms and Ella Simms; twenty-one grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives,
and friends