Obituary of Ellen Marie Drain

Ellen Marie Drain (Marie), 90 years old, lived in Canton Michigan, passed away on October 21, 2020 at Crystal Creek Assisted Living from natural causes. Born on September 9, 1930 in Earl Arkansas to John & Ida Wilson. She was the eldest sibling to Kenneth (Pattie) Wilson, Audrey (Ron) Conway, Bonnie (Robert) Burns, Velma (Rex) Melton, and Wanda (Carl) Tierman. Raised on a farm when she met and married Ebon Drain (deceased) at the age 17. They were married in Wynne Arkansas on December 17, 1947. She became a Pastor’s wife in 1961 when Ebon was ordained. She co-pastored alongside her husband while raising her children and working outside jobs to help support the family. Early on she was a waitress, then a seamstress for Doctor Denton where she made children’s clothing. She later was a seamstress for Lazy-Boy where she sewed the backs for their furniture. Ebon & Marie moved to Tennessee in 1980 where she went back to work as a seamstress for a short time then decided to start her own business. They started E.Z. Cases (named for husband Ebon Zainel). She made purses, gun cases, pocket change pouches and much more, then Ebon sold them at a Flea Market. While owning and operating E.Z. Cases, Ebon & Marie started another ministry including ministering on the radio until Ebon’s passing in 2007. With all she accomplished in life, Marie always made sure that God was glorified. She and Ebon made sure that their children heard about Jesus and they were instrumental in their salvation and Christian upbringing. One of the fond memories the kids have is their mom’s cooking. They never had much in life but Marie made sure the kids had special treats. Like on Saturday’s when she would make what she called Chocolate Gravy and homemade biscuits. It was like eating a chocolate doughnut. Marie was preceded in death by her first child (Ellen Marie Drain) who passed away at birth on November 8, 1949. She is survived by her remaining children - James Timothy (Ester d) Drain, Paul Roger (Jackie d) Drain, Carol Elain (Gerald) Kuhrt, Kathy Jo (John) Fauls and Peggy Lynn Thomas. Marie leaves behind 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Also survived by her beloved brother-in-law James Virgil (Marlene) Drain, and sister-in-law’s Wylene Garrison, Nellie Perkins, Mildred Alderson, Bertha Pollock, Charlotte Lemley, Pat Slaton, and Brenda Merrell. Ellen Marie Drain was cremated and her remains will be laid to rest in a private ceremony on November 14, 2020 at Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in DeKalb County, Alabama, USA. In lieu of flowers, taxable donations will be accepted in her name at Huron Valley PACE, 2940 Ellsworth Rd Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197, (attention Lindsay).