Ella Beatrice (Tramill) Woolfolk

Ella Beatrice Tramill Woolfolk, 93, of Henderson, Kentucky, formerly of Clarksville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at 1:08 p.m. on Wednesday March 25, 2026 at St. Anthony's Hospice Lucy Smith King Care Center in Henderson with her loving daughter and family members by her bedside. 

A native of Clarksville, Tennessee, she was born to the late Thomas Tramill Sr. and Easter Dowdy Tramill on June 8, 1932. 

She was a faithful and longtime member of Walnut Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Henderson where she served in many capacities.  She served as the pianist and Director of Worship Arts, including as a Worship Leader, Easter Program Coordinator, Christmas Program Coordinator, and a Senior Mother. 

She served under several pastors but had a fondness for her former pastor Rev. Richard Barnes whom she served under for four years. 

She came to the Henderson area in 1946, graduated from Douglass High School in 1950 and soon started cosmetology school at Paducah Beauty College in Paducah, Kentucky where she received her cosmetology degree.  She worked as a longtime self-employed business owner and licensed beautician with Woolfolk Beauty Shop in Henderson for 72 years, becoming the oldest owner of an African American business in the City of Henderson and was recently featured in the Hendersonian on March 9, 2025 for her lifetime achievement.  She enjoyed sewing, cooking, and best of all, shopping; and will be dearly missed by her family, business clients, and friends. 

In addition to her parents, she also was preceded in death by her loving husband, Elder Prince W. Woolfolk; three brothers, Thomas Tramill Jr., Roland Johnson, and Lawrence Tramill; and six sisters, Chassie Compton, Alma Wilson, Syrilla Gilbert, Patricia Chester, Christine Sweatt, and Lelia Barnes. 

She leaves behind to cherish her loving memories her loving and devoted daughter, Tonya Woolfolk of Louisville, Kentucky; four sisters, Laverne Willinghan of Henderson, Virginia Harris of Evansville, Indiana, Barbara Tramill of Henderson, and Etta Ridens of Radcliff, Kentucky; a special nephew, Josih'a Gilbert of Henderson; a special niece, Adreann'a Sutton of Henderson; additional nieces and nephews; and a host of cousins and friends. 

The life of Ella Woolfolk will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Saturday April 4, 2026 at Victory Christian Center Church in Henderson. 

Superintendent Ira Greg Hathaway will eulogize with Rev. David Petrie officiating.  

Burial will be in Fernwood Cemetery in Henderson. 

Her visitation and wake services will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday April 3, 2026 at Walnut Hill Missionary Baptist Church with a musical beginning at 7:00 p.m. with additional visitation Saturday after 10:00 a.m. at Victory Christian Center Church.

In honor of Ella Woolfolk's lifetime business achievement, her family will be presented with a Proclamation from the City of Henderson by Henderson City Mayor Brad Staton during the funeral service. 

For live viewing, the service will be live-streamed on Elliott-Bowles Mortuary facebook page beginning at 11:45 a.m. central time Saturday April 4. 

Floral orders should be placed through any local florist in Henderson, Ky. 

Elliott-Bowles Mortuary in Madisonville, Kentucky is overseeing her arrangements and professional services. 

Condolences to the family can be shared by going to www.elliottmortuarycares.com. 

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