Elyse Shuman Harvill

Elyse Shuman Harvill, 94, of Tampa, died on Sunday May 17, 2026. Elyse was the daughter of Foy A. Shuman and Keturah Downs Shuman; the eighth of ten children, born in Plant City, FL on August 8th, 1931. Raised in Springhead, Florida on their family strawberry farm, she attended Springhead Elementary School and graduated from Plant City High School.

Elyse married H. Doyle Harvill in 1952 and pursued a career as an executive secretary until they started a family. Elyse was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and homemaker, passionate about her garden, reading, the daily crossword and the game of tennis. In her heart a competitor, Elyse was dedicated to her tennis league partners playing for the Davis Island Tennis League until she was 84. She would not miss a match.

Elyse and Doyle were a true team. They had many adventures, and she supported his career all along the way so when Doyle’s career brought them back to the Tampa Tribune (former Publisher) they were overjoyed to be coming home. Over the years, they maintained strong friendships, a commitment to community and love for Tampa.

Elyse was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, H. Doyle Harvill, and siblings: Charles G. Shuman, R.W. Shuman, Foy A. Shuman, Jr., Raleigh Shuman, Louise Simmons, Della Lee Shuman Kimbel, and H. Devon Shuman. She is survived by her daughter Kimberly Harvill Scott and son Alan D. Harvill (Denise) and 5 grandchildren she adored, S. Reynolds Scott, Jr., Abigail Janvier Scott, Lauren Louise Harvill, Alexander Doyle Harvill and Jean Luma; siblings, Bettye Holly and Ruth Brown, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Elyse’s family wishes to express utmost gratitude to Roberta Glenn, her tennis partner and friend, her beloved sisters Ruth and Bettye, and the Allegro community and staff who cared and nurtured her these past few years.

A private family burial will be held at the site of Hebron Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Keysville, FL. In loving memory of Elyse Harvill, please consider donating to the Tampa Bay History Center or the Humane Society of Hillsborough County.