Ella Jean Harvey

Ella Jean Thompson Harvey transitioned to glory peacefully at the grand age of 91 years old on August 11, 2026, in the Henderson, NV, home of her daughter, Constance Harvey Morton. She was born June 1, 1935, in the small farming community of Cato, Mississippi, to John Henry Thompson (1895-1953) and Sallie Michael Thompson (1899-1947). Her family moved to the Pearlie Grove area outside of Brandon, Mississippi, where they owned and worked a 75-acre farm.

Ella Jean was the tenth of 13 children. At age 12, she experienced the untimely death of her mother and then her father shortly before her 18th birthday. She was preceded in death by eleven of her siblings, including three who died in infancy (Luvelle, Elzee, Sidney, Sarah Jane, Mamie, Etoy, Billy Zack, Lenon, Eddie Mack, Charles Emmit, and Barbara Norris). She is survived by her remaining brother, John Curtis Thompson of Jackson, MS.

In 1953, Ella Jean met and married US Army soldier, Boss Esau Harvey (1932 - 2010), also from Rankin County. Boss was the eldest son of Arrette and Joseph Harvey. His siblings included: Grace Katherine (Missy) Bell Morrow, James Joseph (Jim) Harvey, Samuel David Harvey, and Berdie Ree Harvey.

The couple were married for 57 years, and they raised six children: Kenneth Ricardo (Rick), Stanley Romero (Stan), Karen Patricia (Sister), Constance Maria (Connie), Angela Kay (Lita), and Charles David (Chuck). She was also a mother to others she adopted along the way, grandmother to 13 grandchildren and great-grandmother (GG) to 15.

Ella Jean was a lifelong learner, passing on the Thompson Family multi-generational insistence that education was the way up and through the doors of opportunity.

As a child, she attended a now-historic coloreds-only, 1-room schoolhouse in the Pearlie Grove, MS community. Her dreams of becoming a nurse were interrupted by marriage, children, and multiple military relocations. She decided to resume her career aspirations when her youngest began high school and subsequently graduated with honors from Eastern Washington University, the same day as her eldest son in 1981. She served as a substance abuse counselor for several years in Spokane, Washington until retirement, as well as a nursing assistant and caregiver.

Ella Jean believed in family and remained connected with close and extended family across the generations. She connected with people from all backgrounds. No one was ever a stranger and found common-ground with all who crossed her path. She will always be remembered by family and friends for her active and faithful telephone ministry.

She was deeply committed to her Savior, Jesus Christ and shared her love of God with exemplary devotion, wisdom, and a nurturing spirit. She helped found a church in Spokane, WA, was a missionary and evangelist for her Savior, and a beloved church mother for several congregations. She touched, shaped lives, and blessed others everywhere she went.

Ella Jean was a remarkable person. Devoted daughter, sister, cousin, wife, aunt, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-aunt, and a precious friend. Her legacy is written in our lives. We are better and shine brighter because of who she was. And we will follow her footsteps in loving others, living the Kingdom of God here and on into the Kingdom to come.

Visitation will be held at Living Word Church LV, 976 Hassell Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89106, on September 4, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, followed by the Funeral Service at the same location on September 4, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. She will be laid to rest privately at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada.