Elisia Downing

Elisia Donnet Lee Downing known to her family as “Pumpkin”, the daughter of Janet Efford and the late Charles Efford Sr. of Newark, New Jersey, was born December 15, 1961 and departed this life on January 6, 2020.

Elisia spend her childhood years enjoying life in the city of her birth. She was well liked by everyone and had many friends. She attended Barringer High School in Newark, New Jersey where upon graduation, gained employment at Newark Beth Isreal Medical Center for nearly 10 years.

While embracing a fresh start in Delaware, Elisia became a member of the Philadelphia Pentecostal Holiness Church where she accepted Christ and was baptized in the name of Jesus. She found joy in sharing her love for Christ with friends and strangers. Over the years Elisia displayed a deep love for education. She received her Master’s Degree in Theology while attending the Apostolic Bible College of Delaware along with a myriad of certifications and certificates. She maintained employment at Sussex Podiatry for over 10 years and following that, worked with The Light House Program. During this time she was also a faithful volunteer at the Philadelphia Pentecostal Holiness Church, several of its entities and Morgan’s Place Shelter.

Elisia often regarded herself as a “Child of God”. She was full of life and had a great sense of humor. She held a great respect for her Church, her Pastor and “The Vision”. Elisia displayed a deep love for her family, especially her grand children. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her brother Tyrone Efford.

Elisia leaves to cherish her memories, her mother Janet Efford of Newark, NJ; Three children, Levern Lee Jr. (Princess) of Lincoln, DE, Demetris Davis of Ellendale, DE, Melvin Davis Sr. of Ellendale, DE; One aunt, Sheila Young of Richmond, VA; Two brothers, Dwayne Efford (Valerie) of Sayreville, NJ and Charles Efford Jr. of Elkton, MD; One sister, Marcia Efford of Newark, NJ; Eleven Grandchildren, Ja’Onna Lee, Kaleela Lee, Savannah Lee, Alani Lee, Eli’jah Johnson, A’riyah Johnson, Mekhi Hill, Samye Davis, Maniyah Davis, Jeremiah Davis, Melvin Davis Jr.; Two Special Friends, Melvin Jones of Elkton, MD and Jonathan Downing of Milton, DE, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.