Joyce Howard Ellis
Joined Nathanael Greene Chapter
On the Service of Captain Thomas Howard, Soldier
April 24, 1964
Chapter Regent –1966-1968
SC DAR State Treasurer 1970-1973
SC DAR State Vice Regent 1973-1976
SC DAR State Regent 1976-1979
Honorary State Regent
Tamassee DAR School Board Chairman 1976-1980
NSDAR Vice President General 1979-1982
National Insignia Chairman
Member of the NSDAR Speakers Staff
Life Member of NSDAR
Member – National Officers Club, National State Regent’s Club, National Vice Regent’s Club, National Chairman’s Club, National Vice Chairman’s Club, Palmetto State Officers Club, President 1992-1994, State Chairman’s Club
State Regent’s Project – funding and furnishing the Historical Records room in the Smith Mettetal building at Tamassee
Supplemental Ancestors:
Laodicia “Dicey” Langston
Solomon Langston
John Langston
Joseph Pittman
Jonathan Tipton
Charles Robertson
A Tribute to Mrs. Fred W. Ellis, Jr.,
State Regent, South Carolina State Society, NSDAR
1976-1979
Tamassee DAR School “Sundial” March 1979
The Tamassee staff and children express their deep gratitude and abiding love to Mrs. Joyce Ellis for her loyalty, devotion, guidance and donations of time, effort and invaluable support on behalf of Tamassee during her tenure as South Carolina State Regent. She has been a frequent visitor to Tamassee, accompanied by her husband, also a staunch supporter of Tamassee. Mrs. Ellis knows all the staff and the majority of the children by name; all love her dearly and she holds a very special place in each child’s heart. Her efforts on the part of Tamassee have been tireless and unceasing and her personal involvement and generous contributions are beyond expression. Our best wishes to Mrs. Ellis in future DAR interests – our thought and prayers will be with her.
Joyce Howard Ellis
Born in Greenville, SC Aug. 1, 1927
Departed on Sep. 15, 2012 and resided in Greenville, SC
Joyce Howard Ellis, widow of Fred W. Ellis, Jr., died September 15, 2012. Born August 1, 1927 to Ethel and Truluck Howard, she became a loving wife, mother and grandmother; an accomplished florist; genealogist and active community member.
Joyce was a graduate (1944) of Parker High School, The University of South Carolina and Bright's School of Floral Design. She and her husband owned and operated Sans Souci Flower Shop from 1951 to 1975. She served as President of the SC Florists Association and was a member, director, and officer of several professional organizations, teaching and judging design schools.
Not only did she sew clothing for her family, she won the state Federation of Women's Clubs and Vogue Patterns sewing contests.
As a gardener, she earned numerous awards for flower arranging and horticulture. She was twice named Clarice Wilson Garden Club's Woman of the Year.
She was a charter member of Greenville and SC Genealogical Societies, both of which she served as president, and was a member of the SC Archives and History Foundation.
She was a member of the Nathanael Greene Chapter of the DAR, serving in a number of national, state and local offices.
After retirement, she and her late husband enjoyed many years of extensive travel, outstanding grand parenting and community service. Joyce was proud of her service to the Parker Sewer and Fire Sub-district. Having been the first woman elected to the Commission, she served 1988-2005 and as Chair for four years.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Tommie Reece and Dr. Ron Reece, Ginger Ellis and Dale Burroughs, and grandson Brad Reece.
The family will celebrate Joyce's life in a memorial service Sunday, September 23, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown.
Memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 301 Halton Rd., #D2, Greenville, SC 29607.
From the Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes web site:
Cards of condolence may be mailed to: Mrs. Ron Reese, 18 Chestnut Ridge, Greenville, SC 29609-6619