armen Denise Ellis May 1, 1963 - Nov. 8, 2015 SOUTH BEND - Carmen Denise Ellis, 52, born to Claudia Mae Ellis and James Seward, Sr. on May 1, 1963, passed away November 8, 2015 with her family by her side.

She was a life-long resident of South Bend, IN and attended LaSalle High School. Carmen enjoyed track and basketball which she played at the King Center. Carmen was a loving daughter, mother, sister, aunt and friend. Her genuine love for and acceptance of family, as well as others, was unconditional.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her two loving children, whom she adored, Sherika (Thomas) Brown and Calvin (LaTonya) Crawford, Jr.; her significant other, Pierre "Bae" Easley along with her five grandchildren who were very dear to her heart: Kyreece Parker, Kyle and Kailah Brown, Calvin III and Chosen Crawford. She is survived by twelve siblings: Willie J. Hubbard, Chester (Gloria) Ellis, Glen (Connie) Ellis, Teria (Ronnie) Jones, Lisa (Maurice) Johnson, Drs. Debra (Dennis) Givens, Carmen Jones, Victor (Elaine) Seward, Diane Seward, Elaine Seward, James Seward & Ronnie Seward; her very special niece and caregiver, Nakia Terry; a special friend, Vern and a host of nieces and nephews along with two maternal aunts, Pearl Wells & Irevia Lewis.

Carmen was preceded in death by her mother, Claudia Mae Ellis and father, James Seward, Sr. as well as six siblings: Kathlyn Ellis, Verna "Bonnie" Batteast, Gretchen Ellis, Carol, Jerome and Keith Seward and the father of her children, Calvin "Black Soul Brotha" Crawford Sr.

Services for Carmen will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, November 13, 2015 at the New Horizon Outreach Ministry Church, 56165 Mayflower Road, South Bend, Indiana. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the services at the church. Contributions in memory of Carmen may be made to the family in care of Palmer Funeral Home - West Chapel, 2702 Lincolnway West, South Bend, IN 46628. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Nov. 11, 2015

08/30/2022 EJS