Joyce Ann Ellis

Joyce Ann Ellis was born January 1, 1948, in Naples, Texas as Joyce Ann Winkley to Naomi Winkley and Mack Wingfield, Jr. For the first few years of her life, she was lovingly raised and nurtured by her great grandparents, Ellen and Tunch Young in Naples, Texas. At the age of five she returned to Dallas, where the family lived in the historic Tenth Street/Bottom Freedman’s Town. Joyce’s childhood was anchored by two major institutions, Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School. These two institutions provided the foundation for her religious and academic learning. At an early age, she was baptized at Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church by the Revered C. B. T. Smith. Joyce was an active member, attending Sunday School and Training Union, and she was a member of both the Youth and Young Adult choirs.

As one of the first families of a new Catholic school for African Americans in Oak Cliff, Joyce received her education under the strict tenets of the sisters and priests of Immaculate Heart of Mary. In 1963, she transferred to Franklin D. Roosevelt High School where she participated in Future Business Leaders of America, the speech and drama club and the school’s choir. She graduated with honors (NHS) in 1966. She attended El Cento College for two years.

In 1968, Joyce married Richard Allen Sherman, Sr., a union that ushered in the brightest joys of her life - her daughter Pamela Yvette Sherman and son Richard Allen Sherman II, her true purpose and reason for being. It is for them that she got up early to take public transportation, regardless of the weather, to her job at Employers Insurance of Texas. She committed herself tirelessly until its closure. Joyce then joined Parrish-Hare Electrical Supply, where she served with dedication for 21 years until her retirement in 2016.

On October 12,1991, her life as Mrs. Joyce Ann Ellis began. Having grown up and attended Catholic school together, her courtship with Ronnie was woven into God’s design. That same year, Joyce entered the Catholic faith through baptism at Blessed Sacrament and officially became a member. Thereafter, Joyce and Ronnie became members at St. Elizabeth’s of Hungary where she actively participated in the choir and served as Regent for several years in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court of the Lady Lourdes #1784 and a longtime member of the Altar Guild. Together, Joyce and Ronnie nurtured a deep love for their families and their shared Catholic faith. Over 33 beautiful years, they cherished one another while exploring the world’s oceans on many cruises. Joyce also treasured her European travels with Pamela.

During the period from 2016-2022, when it seemed her cup was running over with blessings, God bestowed yet other precious gifts: the birth of her three grandchildren, Sunday, Soraya, and Richard III. Their joyful energy and unconditional love gave her strength as she courageously fought her battle with breast cancer.

On December 24 at 3:54 AM, our beloved Joyce transitioned into Christmas, welcomed into the presence of Jesus. As we mourn her loss, we are comforted by the fact that her unwavering faith and trust in Jesus’s promise of eternal life have granted her a place in His eternal home. We take comfort in the assurance that He has prepared a special place for her, where there is no more pain or sorrow, and she can experience the fullness of His love and peace forever.

Joyce is preceded in death by her grandmother Jankie King Gaston, her father Mack Wingfield, Jr. and her sister Janice Winkley Gore.

Joyce’s legacy will be honored by her husband - Ronnie Ellis; mother - Naomi Jackson; her two children Pamela Yvette Sherman and Richard Allen Sherman II (Jomaica); grandchildren – Jayden Monks, Sunday Sherman, Soraya Sherman, Richard Sherman III, and Kahlo McClatchey; sister - Joan Jackson Bouldin (David Jr.) and brother - James Paul Jackson (Zakia); step-daughters – Zandra Ellis Likens (Josh) and Danielle Ellis; nephews and their children, Terrence Gore (Michael, Brandon, Michelle), Todd Gore, Xavier Gore (Saniyah), Kenneth Brown (Stephanie-wife, Zachery, Jaslyn, Kayla) and her niece Tehra Bouldin. Her King cousins, along with numerous other relatives, St. Elizabeth parishioners, and friends will forever treasure the impact Joyce had on their lives.