Mrs. Ada E. Lightner

Ada Elizabeth Lightner was born to Mr. Leroy and Rubye Jones Lightner in Randolph County Cuthbert Georgia. She was the 9th child gifted from God to her beloved parents and was also born in the ninth month, in the year 1936. (September 26, 1936) Her beloved parents decided to give their little girl the lovely name of Ada Elizabeth. The name Ada means noble, having fine personal qualities or high moral and ideals. Its synonyms are Good, Righteous, Honorable, Upstanding and Decent. Elizabeth is of Hebrew origin and the meaning of Elizabeth is ‘God is my Oath”. As a youngster Ada Elizabeth a quiet child, grew and attended school with her other sibling and in 1954, she graduated Randolph County Training school in Cuthbert Ga. As a young lady she enjoyed dancing and was rather good in her dance skills. At age 21, Ada Elizabeth relocated to Orlando, Fla and lived with her oldest Sister Allene as she began a new chapter in her adult life, becoming employed she remained in Orlando until age 25, and relocated to Jersey City, New Jersey after sensing a better opportunity for herself there in 1961. After arriving in Jersey City, Ada became employed as CNA at Christ Hospital where she worked faithfully for decades until her retirement. Part of social life was making good friends and among them Ada Elizabeth became a close friend of Kenneth ‘Wally” Kelly of the original Manhattan’s R&B Group formed in the early 60’s in New Jersey. Ada Elizabeth truly lived her life to the fullest. She was active throughout her life, and enjoyed traveling, visiting places around the country and even outside as well as family members from other states whom she also visited often. In the array of pictures displayed on her program she can be seen visiting different places around the country with family and friends. Ada also gave birth to one child who sadly passed away shortly after birth. Ada Elizabeth loved the outdoors, meeting and interacting with people, and kept herself involved with social activities in many areas. At age 84, prior to the pandemic Ada Elizabeth was still holding down a full active schedule of activities including traveling across the country, and even outside the country with her senior citizen group, as well as attending family reunions. She never let the grass grow under her feet, and even on her off days she would venture outdoors to Journal Square and the Mall in Jersey City for shopping, food, and movies. Through all of this, the main center of her life was God and Ada was heavily involved in all her church activities as well. She was constantly attending church services and helping omut where needed in the congregation, feeding the hungry, consoling family of loved one’s loss and so forth. Her Pastor, Reverend Doby of Jersey City New Jersey spoke of her as a very devoted member whom he presented an award for her dedication and work in the church. Ada Elizabeth transitioned from this earthly life sometimes between the hours of Sunday December 28th and December 30th, 2020, when God called her back to Himself as she rested peacefully in her home. Her memory will be cherished by all who loved her but particularly her two remaining Beloved siblings, Rubye McGill, (her mother’s namesake) Orlando Florida, and a brother Willie James Lightner of Cuthbert Georgia. A brother-in-law Mr. Fessor Hargrove of Houston Texas, and a host of Nieces and Nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and special friends. She also will be missed dearly by a beloved Niece, Jacquelyn Lightner-Tall, of Hartford Connecticut whom she felt especially close to and who loved her dearly. Ada’s generous and kindness will forever live in the hearts of her family and friends and all those who had the pleasure of knowing her.