Mary Ellen was born on April 29, 1948 in Greensburg, Louisiana to the union of Tommy D. and Francis Johnson. Missionary Mary Ellen Coney transitioned from this life to her heavenly home on Friday, April 3, 2020.

She was reared in Greensburg, Louisiana with her siblings where she attended St. Helena High School. After finding her life companion, she married Fred Coney and moved to Amite, Louisiana. To this union one child was born, a daughter, Linda Jean.

Mary worked for the State of Louisiana at Hammond Developmental Center for nearly 30 years and retired as a Residential Training Staff (RTS) Supervisor. Later, she returned to the workforce where she worked at the Strawberry Patch for ten years.

Missionary Coney and her husband were two of the founders of New Spiritual Growth IME Church which was founded in 1986 under the leadership of Rev. Leslie Brumfield. Later the church was renamed New Spiritual Growth COGIC under the leadership of the late Superintendent Samuel Richardson. She also served at the Greater Community COGIC under the leadership of the late Superintendent Daniel Muse, Sr.

Missionary Coney last served as a member and Evangelist Missionary at Gordon-Richardson Temple of Deliverance COGIC, Amite, Louisiana under the leadership of Administrative Assistant Emmitt Richardson. She worked faithfully in her church. She also served faithfully on the Louisiana East First Jurisdiction under the leadership of Bishop Alphonso Denson, Sr. and Dorothy Richardson, Supervisor of Women. She held many positions in the churches where she worshipped. Such positions included Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member, Financial and Church Secretary, Minister's Wives Circle, Mother's Board, and the list goes on and on. She made a vow to the Lord, and did not turn back.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories, her loving daughter, Linda Jean, New Orleans, Louisiana; two brothers, Thomas Johnson, Los Angeles, California and Charles Johnson, New Orleans, Louisiana; four sister-in-laws, one brother-in-law, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, family and friends.

Missionary Coney is preceded in death by her parents, Tommy D. and Francis Johnson, her husband, Elder Fred Coney, a brother, Willie Henderson, and three sisters Evelyn Dillon, Yvonne Green, and Betty Jean Johnson.

A Private ceremony is scheduled with the family and A Celebration of Life will be scheduled and posted soon.