Ellen Ishee

Ellen Joyce Ishee died December 27, 2021 at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center after an extended illness. She was born in Covington County, MS on January 21, 1938, the third child of Mark L. “Dick” and Mary Kate Sharp Ethridge. As a young child, she moved with her family to Jones County. She graduated from Sandersville High School and took a job at Neco Mfg. in Bay Springs, MS, where she met George Darrell Ishee. The two were married on May 31, 1957, and ultimately made their home in the Jackson area. They were blessed with three sons and settled into a life of work, school, and church activities.

Joyce loved babies and old folks, and she found great joy in working with both age groups. She taught in church kindergarten, and she taught art lessons in nursing homes. She worked for a time as a manicurist, and then studied dental assisting, spending several happy years working in that field. Her favorite job, however, was creating a home for George and her sons. She took great pride in her boys, and she treasured time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchild.

Joyce taught herself to paint, to crochet, and to tat, and she enjoyed crafting of all kinds. She was seldom without her camera, and she was intentional in documenting family gatherings. Joyce relished card games, board games, and jigsaw puzzles, and she was a fierce competitor. She loved holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, and her house was a wonderland of seasonal decorations. For many years, Joyce was active in her Eastern Star chapter.

Joyce was a member of Park Place Baptist Church, and her deep faith was demonstrated as she participated in Bible study, sang in the choir, and worked with children’s Bible drill as long as health permitted. When she and George could no longer attend church services, they thoroughly enjoyed watching televised services from Park Place.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, George Darrell Ishee, who died in November of this year; her son, Allan Bruce Ishee; her parents, Dick and Mary Ethridge; her brother, Mark Nathaniel Ethridge; and her brother-in-law, Morris Ray Windham.

Joyce is survived by her sons, Wayne (Barbara) and Mark (Marchell); two grandsons, Zach (Cori) Ishee and Jesse Ishee; and a great-granddaughter, Mallory Ishee. She is also survived by her sisters, Janice E. Windham; Lillie E. Parker (Frank); Elaine Ethridge (Duane Mitchell); and Kathy E. Holifield (Kenney); sister-in-law, Ann Ethridge; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements include visitation at Ott and Lee Funeral Home, 1360 W. Government Street, Brandon, MS, from 11:00 to 12:00 on Thursday, December 30, 2021. A memorial service for Joyce and her husband, George, will follow at 12:00, also at the Funeral Home.