Ella J. Rich

Ella Rich, 64, of St. Joseph, Michigan, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2008, at her home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, April 27, 2008, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., in St. Joseph, with Andreas Achenbach officiating. Burial will be private. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Those wishing to send a condolence message may do so in the guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ella was born March 23, 1944, in Kosciusko, MS, to Beanie and Arnola Robinson. She had two children, Tracie and Elgin. Ella worked locally for many years as a waitress at Nicholson’s and Chili’s Restaurants. “She loved people” and enjoyed her work. In her pastime, she enjoyed bowling and cooking. Most of all, Ella cherished time spent with her family and particularly with her grandchildren. Ella is survived by her daughter Tracie (Rickey) Snipes of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Justin, Janel, Jennifer, and Joshua Snipes and Elgin Rich, Jr.; and by her siblings, Lula Mae Parish, Velma Mallet, Barbara Parish, Helen Love, Nola Gladney, and M.J. Robinson. In addition to her parents, Ella was preceded in death by her son, Elgin Rich and by three brothers.