Ellen M Showell

On April 25, 1965, there was commotion in Heaven. God looked upon the Earth and saw that it was in desperate need of a little more love, a little more laughter and a little more sunshine. And so it was, on that wonderful day, that He sent our beloved Ellen “Marlett” Brown into the world kicking and screaming, as the ninth child and baby girl of twelve children, born to Ms. Shirley T. Brown. 

As a student in the New Brunswick Public School System, Marlett, as she was fondly known, blazed a trail by becoming the only freshman to be added to the varsity cheerleading team and was also a proud member of Andre Bruce Byrom aka A.B.B. Productions. It was there that she met her sweetheart, Pedro Showell, who affectionately called her ‘Queen of A.B.B.’ On Christmas Day in 1988, after sweeping her off of her feet, Pedro made Marlett the Queen of his castle. 

Being the family-oriented woman that she was, Marlett happily bore three beautiful children, and was so deeply devoted to them that she spent many years as a stay-at-home mother, tirelessly providing them with love, support, attention and care. Her love for her own children ran so deep that Marlett obtained her childcare provider license, and opened an in-home day care service, becoming a well-adored pillar in her local community.

Marlett encompassed the heart of a servant, so much so, that when her children became of age, she continued in her path of caring for others. With pride and diligence, she chased her dream of becoming a Certified Home Health Aide. It was in this field that she discovered her passion to care for the sick and the elderly, and developed great relationships with her patients, treating them as extended family. 

Sweet, sometimes shy, yet strong and full of vigor, Marlett was a force that left her mark on the Earth. Her contagious laughter, coupled with her infectious smile, beautified with a gap in her teeth that she absolutely loved, helped heal the wounds of many. As a testament, her presence alone would soothe the ills of her aging patients, even on some of their most difficult days. 

To know Marlett was to know that she was a movie connoisseur, a lover of music, fearless in her honesty and her stance for the truth. She was a silent storm, generally a woman of few – but very powerful words, who loved the Lord with all of her heart and could occasionally be heard singing her favorite song, “I’m Going to Serve the Lord, Forever” in her sweet, soprano voice. 

The sun went down on the evening of Tuesday, August 18, 2020, and there was commotion in Heaven again. This time, God started to miss the angel that He had lent to us over fifty years ago. He looked down upon the Earth and called out to our beloved Ellen ‘Marlett’ Showell, knowing that she had fulfilled her living purpose of pouring herself into the crown jewels of her life, her three amazing children. Marlett drenched Porsha with fearless honesty, generosity, strength and resilience; adorned Kyle with sensitivity, humility and compassion; and crowned Quinten with creativity, sharp discernment and protective instincts. With a job very well done, Marlett answered that call and went peacefully home to be with the Lord. 

Ellen “Marlett” Showell was predeceased in death by her beloved brother, Anthony Lamar Brown. 
 
She leaves to cherish her passing, her husband, Pedro Showell; three children, Porsha (Logan) Moody of Monmouth Junction, NJ, Kyle Showell of North Brunswick, NJ and Quinten (Talasia) Showell of Hammonton, NJ; two grandchildren, Priya and Logan Moody, Jr.; a wonderful mother, Shirley T. Brown of North Brunswick, NJ; ten siblings, Brenda Richardson, Annette Grier, Kelvin (Catrina) Brown of North Brunswick, NJ, Elaine Owens of New Brunswick, NJ, Cynthia Brown of Willingboro, NJ, Christopher (Tasha) Brown of Upper Marlboro, MD, Bessie (Charles) Covin, Donna Brown of Monmouth Junction, NJ, Dana (Casandra) Brown of Franklin Park, NJ and Shawn (Shellie) Brown of Bowie, MD; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Marlett will also be lovingly missed by her sisters and brothers gained by marriage with whom she shared a special bond filled with unconditional love.

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