Joan Jamerson Ellis

Joan Jamerson Ellis, matriarch of the family and guiding moral light passed away on April 22, 2026. Joan was born October 27, 1932, to Rufus Jamerson, a grocery store general manager and Virgina Jamerson, a church hostess, in Clearwater, Florida. She attended elementary school in Bradenton, where she had fond memories of fishing with her father at the Anna Maria Pier. After moving to Tampa, Joan attended Wilson Junior High and Graduated from H.B. Plant High School in 1950. She maintained lifelong friendships with her high school friends the "50's Girls", including her closest friend, Mary Jo Hathaway. Joan attended the University of Tampa.

After meeting Gray Ellis, the love of her life, at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, they married in 1954 and started their family. Once her children reached school age, Joan joined the family business where she worked with her husband, sons and son-in-law until the day she died. She was a loving and kind mother to her twins, Jenny and Bubba, and younger son, Jamie, and a beacon of light to Richard Farmer and Mike Purdy. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Joan is predeceased by her parents Rufus and Virginia, her soulmate Gray, and her grandson J.D.

Joan is survived by her children Jenny (Jon), Bubba (Ellis), Jamie (Martha), Richard (Kathy) and Mike (Robin). She also is survived by her grandchildren Jamie Van Pelt, Taylor Ellis (Sarah), Caroline Zalkin (Adam), Caperton Ellis, Rochelle Van Pelt, and great-grand children Jack Van Pelt and Chase Zalkin, Coral, Cayla and Clay Allwardt.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Blount & Curry Life Event Center MacDill Chapel, Friday, May 1st, 2026 with a visitation at 2PM and a service to follow at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BC Graham Elementary or the charity of your choice.