Mother Ellen Eva Ragland, daughter of the late Meng Terry and Daisy B. Terry, was born Tuesday, June 10, 1930, in Richmond, Virginia.
Ellen later moved to Clarksville, Virginia. She met and married John Wesley Ragland Sr., and they were married in 1952. Their union was blessed with eight children. Ellen resided in Henderson, Oxford and Durham, NC. In 1963, they moved to Elizabeth, NJ.
Ellen was united in Christian fellowship with Diocese of True Vine Resurrection Temple Worldwide, Inc., where she faithfully served on the Mother’s Board. Over the years, Mother Ragland devoted her love and time as a Sunday school teacher, ministering and teaching young women, attending the Heinz-Menaker Senior Center, reading bible stories to the children, cooking, baking, playing dominos and doing needlepoint. Mother Ragland loved children and took an active role in raising her grandchildren, Sylvan, Shakema, Sir John, Shamirra, Lamar, Wesley, Tayah, Scottie, Anthony, Regina, Sir Edward, Fredrick Jr., Micah, Marvin, Shakera, Lauren, Rachel, Kyles and Myles.
While at Fox Subacute Rehabilitation in Mechanicsburg, PA, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Mother Ragland transitioned from labor to reward at the blessed age of ninety-three. Along with her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her children, Theodore Earl Ragland, Joyce Bynum and Carlton Lionel Ragland; brothers, Earl, Overstreet and Calvin Terry; and sister, Nora Terry.
Mother Ragland leaves a legacy of love, commitment and faith to be honored by four sons, Archbishop John Wesley Ragland Jr. (Dr. Overseer ‘Celestine), Minister Fredrick Ragland (Clara), Dr. Darryl Ragland DVM, Glenn Allen Ragland; and one daughter, Edith Faye Ragland; two brothers, Willie Terry and Armstead Terry; along with her nineteen grandchildren, fifty-eight great-grandchildren, twelve great-great-grandchildren, other family members and friends.
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