Erica Lynn Ellis "Rica"

Ericka Lynn Ellis was born on November 13, 1970 to Robert Elbert Ellis, III and Gloria Jean Ellis in San Diego, California.

Ericka began her formal education at National City Christian School also known as South Bay Christian School, preschool through sixth grades.  Ericka completed 7th grade at St. Stephens Christian School and 8th grade at Parkway Middle School in La Mesa, California.  Ericka completed ninth through twelfth grades at Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley, California. Ericka completed undergraduate studies at Georgia State University, Southwestern College and San Diego State University.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health in 2010. 

She was employed by Lens crafters, Robinson’s, Polinsky’s Children’s Center, and most recently, the County of San Diego Health Department.  Ericka (“Rica”) was also quite the entrepreneur through Princess House, Pampered Chef and Warm Spirit her own baking business selling the cakes and pies made famous by her mother’s recipes.

 Ericka was also a member of XINOS, a junior Sorority for high school students and KOT a Sorority for undergraduate students.  Both sororities are sponsored by the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, and Educator’s Sorority.  In 1999 Ericka married Michael Obichi. 

“Rica” was raised with a firm Christian Foundation.  She grew up in the church and was a member at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church and Bayview Baptist Church. Rica knew The Lord. She loved The Lord, and her faith was strong.

She loved her family and provided a tremendous amount of support in the care and education of her nephews, Cameron Everett Burnett, Preston Daniel Ellis and Demetrius Jamal Ellis. 

After a lengthy battle with cancer, God called Ericka home on Thursday, October 8, 2020. She was preceded in death by her mother Gloria Jean Ellis. 

Ericka leaves her loving and devoted father, Robert Elbert Ellis,III; Godmother, Francine Wooten; sisters, Khandace Michaele Ellis and Amber DeNae Ellis; uncles, Edward Henry Ellis and Morris Russ; aunts, Marti Ellis, Catherine Greene and Mary Crisp; cousins, Linda Anderson, Jeanette Benyard, Claudette Carter, Carol Devany Graham, Jacqueline Treadware, Eric Lamar Ellis, Evonne Yvette Ellis, Alisa Russ, Ahmad Russ, Pamela Russ, Tangie DeBerry, Cheryl Govan, Harold Russ, Eric Speed, Mikey Portney; dear friend, Rhonda Renee Sloan; God-daughter, Preaujanae’ and many more cousins, friends and colleagues to cherish her memories.

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