Ellen Pressley

Ellen Eugene Pressley was born on February 5, 1941, at D.C. General Hospital in Washington, D.C., to the late Wallace and Madgline Hawkins, whose family roots extended from Halifax, North Carolina, to Washington, D.C. Born into a large and loving family, Ellen learned early the importance of faith, family, perseverance, and caring for others. These values remained at the center of her life.

Ellen attended Eastern High School and later obtained her GED. She continued her education at the Washington School of Nursing, where she earned her certificate. Her education, entrepreneurial spirit, and natural gift for caring for others would become the foundation for a lifetime devoted to service.

Ellen was a devoted entrepreneur whose life was deeply rooted in serving and caring for others. She owned and operated a medical business alongside Dr. Keith H. Neblett, where her compassion and desire to help people were evident in everything, she did. After the medical business closed, Ellen continued her call to serve by opening an elderly care center, where she lovingly cared for seniors and provided them with the compassion, dignity, and support they deserved.

Her heart for caregiving eventually led her in a new direction. Feeling God calling her to nurture and care for the next generation, Ellen opened Keymaree’s Early Learning Center, which was later renamed Maree’s Early Learning Center. There, she poured her heart into countless children and families, creating a place where children could learn, grow, feel safe, and, most importantly, feel loved.

As Ellen approached retirement, she knew the vision she had worked so hard to build needed to continue. She proudly passed her vision and passion for caring for children on to her granddaughter, Keona Smallwood. What began as Ellen’s calling became part of a family legacy, allowing her commitment to nurturing children and supporting families to continue through the next generation. For Ellen, this was more than passing along a business. It was passing along a purpose that had been deeply connected to her heart. Her businesses may have changed throughout the years, but her purpose never did. She lived to serve, nurture, and care for others.

Her commitment to her community extended beyond her businesses. For approximately 20 years, Ellen was involved with Las Amigas Incorporated, where she participated in community service and fellowship. Her faith, strength, generous heart, and commitment to service were woven throughout every chapter of her life.

Ellen was a woman you could never easily forget. She was resilient, business savvy, loving, strong, and wonderfully feisty. She had a beautiful smile that could light up the room and a personality that made her presence known. Life brought her many challenges and losses, but Ellen continued to stand strong. Her resilience became part of the legacy she leaves behind. And in true Ellen fashion, when life called for a decision, there was only one thing left to do: “Flip the coin, baby!”

If you knew Ellen, you also knew she could cook. Her home was a gathering place for her family. Sunday dinners, holidays, birthdays, and family celebrations meant a house filled with good food, conversation, laughter, music, and plenty of dancing. Her home was more than a place to eat. It was a place where generations came together, celebrated with one another, and created memories that will be treasured for years to come. Ellen also enjoyed sewing, watching Korean movies, and anything purple, her favorite color.

Ellen was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, caregiver, entrepreneur, and friend. Her family extended beyond traditional titles because Ellen’s love was never limited by them. When someone needed her, she had a way of stepping in, making room, and loving them as her own.

Ellen was preceded in death by her former husband Dr. Keith H. Neblett; her husband, James B. Pressley; her children, Rachelle Smallwood, Darlene Flemmings, Ashton Flemmings Jr, and Charlie Canada; her grandchildren, Clarina Butler and Samaja Alsobrooks; and her siblings, Irene Hawkins, Patricia Hawkins, Wallace “Nelson” Hawkins, Calvin Hawkins, Ruby Marbley, James “Butch” Hawkins, and Diane Hawkins.
She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Lolita Flemmings-Lee, Deborah Neblett (Wayne), Michelle Neblett-Floyd (Heather), and Sonia Neblett; as well as Henry Adams, Ricardo Jackson (Wayne), Keymari Huggins-Dorsey (Derrick), and Mary Adams. She also leaves to cherish her former husband and the father of Darlene and Ashton, Ashton Flemmings Sr.

Ellen’s legacy continues through her grandchildren: Stephen Wiggs, Keona Smallwood, Michelle Lee, Brandon Johnson (Angel), Ashleigh Perry Lee (Jazmine), Mykal Lee, Charmise Jackson (Brandon), Jazmin Horton, Chaz Flemmings, Joshua Staten, Xavier Butler, Malichi Lee, Charlie Berluche Jr, Eden Calloway, Jade Neblett, Tre, Tyjuane Hodges, Khloe Huggins, Karter Dorsey, and Kaleb Dorsey.

Her great-grandchildren, A’Kyrii Wilson, Princeton Johnson, Alexandria Johnson, King Lee, Skylar Jackson, Arya Butler, Mi’Yomi McClain, Masai Staton, Alanah Staton, and Ivy Washington, will also carry forward the love and legacy she created.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her surviving siblings, Celestine Hawkins, Beatrice “Bea” Hawkins, Barbara Hawkins, and Elaine Hawkins, along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, and countless lives she touched throughout the years.

Ellen’s life was one of faith, love, resilience, service, and family. She did more than build businesses. She built relationships, cared for generations, strengthened her community, and created a home where her family knew they belonged. She loved fiercely, worked hard, cared deeply, and gave freely of herself.

Though her home will feel different without her, the love she placed within it remains. Her family will continue to gather. They will prepare the foods she loved, share her stories, laugh about old memories, turn up the music, and dance, just as they always did. Her traditions will continue, her lessons will be carried forward, and her love will live on through every generation she helped nurture.

Ellen Eugene Pressley leaves behind far more than memories. She leaves a legacy of faith, strength, entrepreneurship, compassion, service, and, above all, family. In keeping with the life, she lived and the values she held dear, a scholarship fund will be established in honor for her younger grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Through this fund, Ellen will continue to invest in their futures, encouraging them to pursue their dreams, further their education, and build legacies of their own. Just as she spent her life nurturing, guiding, and providing opportunities for others, her legacy will continue to open doors for the generations who follow her.

Her life was a blessing. Her love was a gift. Her legacy is family.