Ella Linder-Woodward

Obituary For Ella Linder-Woodward

Ella Lutish Linder-Woodward was one of four children born to the late Reginald Linder and the late Genevieve Johnson-Linder in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Her family moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania when she was 15 years old.

At the age of 14, she gave her life to Christ, accepting Him and becoming a member of Allen Chapel Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina on August 20, 1947.

Upon moving to Harrisburg, Ella became a member of Bethel AME Church on November 14, 1954 at 12:45 PM and remained a member until the church was destroyed by fire on November 21, 1995. She later became a member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church on November 22, 1998, where she has been a member for more than 20 years.

Ella married John Michael Woodward, Sr. on April 26, 1958. She graduated from Ebony Beauty School with a Cosmetology and Teaching License. She owned a beauty shop and worked as a Cosmetologist for over 20 years, both full-time and part-time. She later became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) on September 1, 1966 and then began working at the Harrisburg State Hospital, where she retired with over 30 years of service.

In her spare time, Ella enjoyed reading the Bible daily, traveling, sewing, cooking and spending time with family. Her favorite recording artist was Mahalia Jackson and she was always tuned in to technological sermons based on the Word of God when she could no longer attend church in-person.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Reginald (who passed at 2 months of age on October 3, 1931); her beloved son, James Edward Linder of Woodbridge, Virginia and her sister, Helen Virginia Linder-Murphy of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

On Wednesday, December 14 2022 God called our beloved Ella Lutish Linder-Woodward home to be with the Lord and she leaves behind to rejoice her memory her daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Michael J. Brady; her brother, Kenneth Reginald “Bo” Garrett of Spartanburg, South Carolina; her daughter-in-law, Jeanne Linder of San Antonio, Texas; her six grandchildren, Thais Ridgeway of New York, New York, Indira Ridgeway of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Damion Linder of Woodbridge, Virginia, Seneca Linder of San Antonio, Texas, Jared Linder of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Jerel Linder of San Antonio, Texas; her eight great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Ella’s life will be celebrated on Thursday, December 22 at 12:30 PM in Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 20 Locust St., Steelton, with viewing and visitation from 12:00 PM until 12:30 PM and burial in William Howard Day Cemetery.

COVID-19 Guidelines will be observed with face masks for all attendees.

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