Joyce Irene (Mannings) Ellis

The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Ellis will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.

FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED!!!

JOYCE IRENE MANNINGS ELLIS, born September 20, 1949, was the third child born to Veora Atwater Mannings and Ned Mannings, Sr., in Harlem, New York. She was raised by her father and grew up with her siblings Ned, Jr., Larry, Earl, Marie, and Shirley.  When Joyce was very young, her mother passed away. She spent summers in North Carolina with her maternal grandparents, Bertha and Frank Atwater, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  

Joyce was a devout Christian. At an early age, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior joined and actively attended Convent Avenue Baptist Church, Harlem, New York.  While attending church, it was revealed that Joyce was musically inclined and had a natural talent for singing. She received conventional piano lessons and formal classical voice training throughout her life. Because of her musical abilities she performed her first solo at the age of nine and was frequently asked to sing at notable events throughout the Boroughs of New York City. In her teens, while attending Evander Childs High School, Bronx, New York, she formed a local singing group and won a recording contract with Radio Corporation of America. She attended several music programs and received a scholarship to attend Boston School of Music. 

Joyce moved to Chicago, Illinois and attended Malcolm X College, majoring in Music Theory. She married in 1970 and from this union the couple raised two daughters, Danielle Veora and Mona Lanette. As a mother and wife, she provided unconditional love, loyalty, and support. Joyce instilled in her children the importance of knowing God the Father, education, and integrity. Also, while living in Chicago, Joyce worked at the United States Post Office. She later became a Licensed Cosmetologist, Barber, and Esthetician. She honed her cosmetology skills while working for her uncles in their privately owned businesses before becoming a business owner herself, operating a full-service hair salon.  

Joyce married her life-long partner Emmanuel “Dean” Ellis.  Joyce and Dean’s union was endearing; throughout 38 years, you rarely would see one without the other. Their marriage was filled with deep respect, love, and joy. They blended their families & five children, Judy, James, Carol, Danielle & Mona.   

Joyce and Dean retired and moved to Houston, Texas.  In retirement, they frequently vacationed, traveled and rarely missed family and friends’ special occasions, family reunions and celebrations. They enjoyed showing up, spreading good vibes and fellowshipping for all reasons.  

While living in Houston, Joyce maintained a residence in Chicago and was instrumental in supporting and raising her grandson, Zacharie Allen to become an intelligent young man.  Most notably, Joyce affectionally was called “AJ”, Auntie Joyce & Joy’cee by her nieces and nephews. She loved each of them as her very own. She actively stayed present in their lives while ensuring that she attended and supported their major milestone life-changing moments.  

Joyce served her community, fervently volunteering her time and talents to support several church ministries in Houston including Fallbrook Church where she accepted the righthand of fellowship and sang in the Fallbrook Mass Choir. Joyce’s ministry in music extended outside of church; she performed the Star Spangle Banner at the Houston Astros Baseball Games. In addition, she performed with local praise & worship groups, Cypress Creek Chorale and The Houston Symphony Orchestra Chorus.  

Our beloved Angel Joyce cultivated meaningful and personal connections with nearly everyone she met. She whole heartedly loved her entire family deeply, and truly disliked parting ways and saying goodbye. On September 12, 2023, at home in Chicago she was called by God into eternal rest. Joyce was covered with love, surrounded by her family and Pastor.  

Preceded in death: her parents; Veora Atwater Mannings, Ned Mannings, Sr., sibling’s, Ned Mannings, Jr., Earl Mannings and Marie Gandy; son, James Ellis, niece Nedtrice Mannings and husband Emmanuel Dean Ellis.  

Joyce leaves to cherish loving memories four daughters: Danielle Armstead (Travis), Judy Ellis, Carol Ellis, and Mona Lanette, one brother, Larry Mannings Sr., three sisters,  Shirley Redmond, Jackey Hunter and Linda Lewis; seven grandchildren, Zacharie Allen, Tasha Broome, James Ellis Jr., Tatianna Ellis, Dwayne Ellis Jr., Travis Armstead, II, Cameron Evans; fourteen nieces, Janet Gandy, Lisa Gandy, Monique Parker (Shelton), Sherice Redmond, Aisha Mannings, Shandai Sams,  Jamillah Mannings, Aliya Tousana, Hanan McSwain (Vontrell) Alisha McCoy, Sahnya Mannings, Isimeme Emafor, Tashelle Redmond, Noria Singletary; four nephews, Larry Mannings, Jr. (Carla), Derek Gandy, Ahmad Hunter, Mekal Mannings (Eulasha); cousins who are as close as sisters, Carolyn Hatchett and Kathryn Pierce; great grandchildren, great nieces/nephews; and a host of family and friends.  

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