Obituary of Regina El

Regina Dannett El was born to the late Joseph and Nena Ball on October 16, 1918 in Westmoreland County, VA. She made her transition on May 31, 2021, to be united with our Lord and Savior. Regina grew up with the love of Jesus planted in her heart at a very young age while attending Grant's Hill Baptist Church in Leedstown, VA with her family. She was educated in the Virginia Public Schools. Because of her small stature, Regina's parents chose to delay her schooling by a year. Despite her tiny physique, she maintained one of the biggest hearts you could ever imagine. Regina raised seven children. She gave her all emotionally, physically, and spiritually in rearing and nurturing her children to become respectable and God-fearing adults. Every year her children would look forward to the notorious "Easter Egg Hunt" in the backyard where she would hide eggs. Regina continued this yearly tradition with her grandchildren and great grandchildren until she become ill. Her greatest joy was dying dozens of eggs and watching the kids retrieve them. As a mother of limited resources, Regina delighted each of her children at Christmas with special bags of love and goodies. These bags would contain apples, oranges, candy and nuts. But most of all it included the joy that made Christmastime so special. It was something they looked forward to every year. As grandchildren and great grandchildren were added, Regina continued this tradition as a means of sharing her love. Being a homemaker, Regina always had a garden in which she grew fruits and vegetables. The family would eat the harvest during the summer months and Regina would preserve and can the remaining in mason jars for the winter. While stewed tomatoes and string beans was a family delight, the favorite was the peaches along with her infamous biscuit she would make for breakfast. Regina always maintained an open-door policy which was available to any of her children in need. She worked at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital for 25 years. She retired October 1982. During her retirement she spent most of her leisure time working crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. In her latter years following retirement, Regina loved residing with her granddaughter Lisa Walker for 22 years, prior to going to Bishop McCarthy Nursing Home in August 2015. Regina was greatly blessed when her son Raymond O Lewis, Sr., became co-founder and Pastor of Jesus in the Midst Ministries. Proud of his accomplishments and the love of that church, Regina became a regular attending member even after being confined to a wheelchair. Her children would pick her up from the nursing home on Sundays to take her to church until she was no longer able to be transported. Regina was predeceased by nine siblings, Ozie, Earl, Harvey, Elvin, Iantha, Effie, Jessie, Hazel and Opal, her husband Selmon; her three children, Tecumseh, Roland and Tima and her three grandchildren, Lynell, Jeffery Jr., and James. Regina will be remembered as a sweet, soft-spoken and a quiet spirited lady who was loved by those who came in contact with her. She spoke only words of encouragement in life, leaving kindness and gentleness wherever she could. Regina leaves behind many indelible memories and a legacy of joy. She will be sadly missed by her children, Grant El (Cynthia), Vermell Curtis, Raymond O. Lewis, Sr. (Betty), Sadui Ravenna El (Katrina), Barata El (Liz), Faisal El (Crystal) and Curtis Lewis. In addition to mourning her death are 31 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, 11 great great grandchildren, 3 nieces, 5 nephews and countless family and friends. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 12, 2021 10:30 am in Jesus in the Midst Ministries, 340 S. Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton, NJ, where a viewing will be held from 9:00 am - 10:30 am. Burial will follow in Laurel Memorial Park, Egg Harbor Township. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Jesus in the Midst Ministries, 340 S. Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037