Born February 27th, 1943 in Meigs County, Tennessee, she was the daughter of Alma Marie Cathey Hipps and William Leroy Hipps. Growing up in a dairy farm with her brothers and sisters, she developed a love for animals and rural community life. Once her father passed, her family moved to Charlotte. After graduating from Garinger High School, she pursued an interest in cosmetology and had a career promoting Elizabeth Arden at Belks. As time passed, she outgrew Belks and began a new career as a Workers Compensation Insurance Adjuster, to eventually retire with Royal Insurance.
Jean had many interests she pursued: sewing for friends and family; gardening, growing tomatoes and assorted vegetables she shared as well. Always an avid reader, she spent many enjoyable trips to The Book Rack, where she made fast friends with owners Jean and Linda, often discussing their favorite books.
Jean’s most memorable times were with her family and friends, frequently doing cookouts, with either watermelon or homemade ice cream, with her sisters and neighbors, John and Joyce Quinn; or just home cooking vegetables with cornbread, and of course, her famous coconut cake!
Jean enjoyed being in her community Taragate Farms. Often spending the day cleaning up the main entrance, she took on the responsibility of taking care of the Taragate Farm sign: cleaning, sanding, painting, or replacing damaged wood for the sign and its post.
Jean loved when her family would get together around the holidays; bringing a covered dish for Thanksgiving, and at Christmas Eve, getting together to hear about the family’s events over the year, toasting each other’s health and listening to Christmas carols; more often than not, driving thru the Dilworth neighborhood, enjoying the Christmas lights people had put on their house.
Due to her farm background, Jean loved animals. She always had either a few cats or a dog living with her, even helping play with the dogs of her neighbors, Dave and Rita Clark, raised in their yard.
Jean is survived by her son, Robert ‘Joe’ Ellison Jr, her sister Nancy Hipps, and her nieces Betty Jo Seay Horne, Roxie Seay Cornelison, and nephew Bill Seay.
She was most recently preceded in death by her sister Joyce Hipps.
A viewing for the family will be held at 6pm June 2, 2021 at McEwen Funeral Service – Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.
For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider the Humane Society of Charlotte (www.HumaneSocietyofCharlotte.org).
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