Ellen Slater "Mama Ellen" Brooks Daniels, 94, died Monday, March 15, 2004, at home. Visitation with the family is 5-7 p.m. today and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street in Jackson. Services are 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with burial in Lakewood Memorial Park South.

Ellen was born in Jefferson Davis County and was the sixth of Charles and Pearl Slater's ten children. She was married to the late Neville Brooks and also to the late Sedgie J. Daniels. She was preceded in death by her son, Bobby L. Brooks.

She is survived by her daughter Sandra Daniels Thomas and husband Ernie of Jackson; and her son Joe E. Brooks of Brentwood, Tenn. Mama Ellen, as she was affectionately known, is also survived by eight grandchildren: Barbara Brooks of Madison, Louie Brooks of Jackson, Janet Brooks Hughes and husband Dave of Hagerstown, Md., Judye Brooks Smith of Brandon, James E. Brooks and wife Kris of Van Nuys, Calif., Adam J. Brooks of Nashville, Jason Thomas and fiance Laura Martin of Ridgeland, and Jonathan Thomas of Jackson. Her eleven great grandchildren include Trish Ingram Murrell and husband David of Canton, Erin Ingram Roney and husband Chris of Birmingham, Jeffrey W. Hughes of Seattle, John D. Hughes and wife Feon of Atlanta, Joshua Brooks Hughes and JenniLynn Brooks Hughes of Hagerstown, Md., Leigh Ellen Smith and Michelle Smith of Brandon, Michael Smith of Oxford, and Justin and Jordan Brooks of Van Nuys, Calif. Her most recent years were brightened by the arrival of three great great grandsons: Brooks and Thomas Roney of Birmingham, and Alex Murrell of Canton. Ellen is also survived by one sister, Kay Christianus of Corpus Christi, Texas; and three brothers, Benjamin H. Slater of Prentiss, Russell B. Slater of Tylertown, and Bidwell W. Slater of Tylertown.

Ellen was a devoted and loving mother to her three children and also to the four grandchildren she raised. She was the matriarch of a large, loving family and circle of friends and was adored by all.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mississippi Animal Rescue League, St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Baptist Children's Village.

Published in The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Mississippi, Internet Edition, Wednesday, March 17, 2004