Joe Ellis

Joe York Ellis

August 30, 1931 * April 16, 2021

Burial resting place: Mountain Peak Cemetery

Father: Clarence Jefferson Ellis

Mother: Lois Evelyn York Ellis

Adopted Parents/Reared by Uncle & Aunt: Samuel Gaston York & Orvel V. Brigman York

Joe was born August 30, 1931 in Waxahachie, Texas at the Waxahachie Sanitarium by cesarean at which time his Mother & twin brother (Joe Ray) passed away during the birth process. It was believed that Joe would not make it past the night.

His father Clarence was left to care for two young boys & work as a farmer for a living. His parents helped during the day with the boys while Clarence worked. However, Clarence grew weary of Joe’s health, as he was failing to thrive on the buttermilk, which was all they had to feed him. He sought out help from his widow’s brother, Sam & his wife Orvel to care for Joe. Since they had lost several pregnancies in the past & they were delighted at the opportunity. They took Joe to a special infant doctor in Ft. Worth that gave them a special can milk to feed & Joe began to gain weight & thrive.

When Joe was 5 years old Sam & Orvel had a daughter Martha Sue York Carroll. Sam worked as a Rail Road Master for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Line out of Ft. Worth, TX. His job required them to move often so Joe attended many schools throughout his education. However, he lived most of his life in Maypearl & was a graduate of Maypearl High School.

Joe found the love of his life Martha Jane Adair, with a little help from his future mother in law. They married on June 5, 1953 and began a lifetime of memories together.

His business career he began as a keypunch operator in Dallas & worked his way up to Vice President of World Service Life Insurance/Gibraltar Life Insurance from which he retired in 1986 after a Heart attack and quadruple Bypass surgery.

Joe is survived by a daughter, Jo Lynne Shepard of Boise, ID; and a Son and daughter in Law, Morgan Ellis and Lesa of Maypearl, TX; 4 Grandchildren, Daryl Shepard of Boise ID, Lindsey Shepard Bisbee & her husband Steve of Boise, ID; Joe Ellis of Maypearl, TX; Samantha Ellis of Maypearl, TX; 3 Great Grandchildren, Lili, Mason & Noah. 1 Brother Kenneth Ellis of Groesbeck, TX and countless Uncles, Aunts, nieces & nephews.

Joe is preceded in death by his beautiful bride of 67 years Martha Jane Ellis. His Father Clarence Ellis, Mother Lois Evelyn Ellis, His adopted Father Samuel York, His Adopted Mother Orvel York, Step Mother Savola Buckner Ellis. 2 Brothers; Joe Ray Ellis & Clarence Howard Ellis. 2 Sisters; Martha Sue York Carrol & Nelda Christine Ellis Weatherford. 2 grandsons; Cole Morgan Ellis & James Michael Ellis.