Ardella May Waller was born on November 4, 1939 in the mountain state of Glen White, West Virginia. She was a proud coal miner's daughter who left West Virginia shortly after graduating from Stratton High School in Beckley, West Virginia. She settled in Asbury Park and Long Branch, New Jersey in 1959 at the age of 20. Della sought work in the field of customer service where she worked for over 25 years.
Soon after moving to Long Branch from Asbury Park, Della joined the Second Baptist Church of Long Branch in the early 1960's. Della became known for her beautiful, angelic singing voice and she was asked to serve as a soloist in the church Gospel Choir. She also sang as a soloist with the Mass Choir and the Celestial Choir. The heart stirring sincerity with which she sang her solos in choir came from her love of God and her relentless faith in the power of God.
Della was ordained and served proudly as a Deaconess for the Second Baptist Church of Long Branch for many years. Della fulfilled her duties with great pride. She loved joyfully serving the lord and playing a very active role in church while always striving to show kindness and wisdom.
Over the many years, in addition to her duties as a Deaconess and choir member, Della served on countless church ministries and committees such as the Christian Education Ministry and the Senior Missionary Ministry.
Della always had a beautiful smile and a kind word for everyone. She loved her life on the Jersey Shore and always held onto fond memories of her younger days walking on the Asbury Park boardwalk with her sister Phyllis and young nieces. Della lived with quiet dignity and strength yet could always be counted on for a humorous story about old family memories.
She will always be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt.
Her example lives on as an inspiration for all of us to follow.
She peacefully transitioned from this life to everlasting life with the Lord on May 15, 2019.
Della is predeceased by her parents, Harold Lee Waller and Nannie Ardella Waller, brother Harold Lee Waller Jr. and sister Phyllis Jane McGill.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Carla A. Waller of Parkville, MD; grandchildren Stirling J. Waller Lewis of Risterstown, MD and Jayde A. Waller of Baltimore City, MD; great-grandson Amari L. Lewis of Risterstown, MD; brother Jarrett Waller and wife Sharlotte Waller of Baltimore, MD; brother Lionel Waller and wife Sylvia Waller of Beckley, WV as well as a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
