Joel Ellis, Sr.

Mr. Joel Ellis, Sr., 78, of South Bend, IN passed away unexpectedly on March 22, 2024 at Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

Joel, one of ten children, was born from the union of Sylvester and Vera (Wallace) Ellis on May 23, 1945, in Trelawny, Jamaica, West Indies. Joel left his beloved home of Jamaica in the early 1970s and immigrated to The United States of America in search of work and greater opportunities. Shortly after he arrived in America, Joel was introduced to another Jamaican expatriate, Jenny Salmon, and the two were married on December 31, 1973.

Joel was a jack of all trades and worked in many different fields to help provide for his family, including: butcher, painter, and a maintenance worker, retiring in 2013. Joel's animated personality and fiery spirit were legendary, especially when it came to his passions of cooking and politics. He took special pride in his famous Jamaican Curry Goat. Joel would quip, "People came from all over the country to eat my curry goat!" He also enjoyed debating governmental affairs as discussed on MSNBC with friends and extended family. Joel was an honorary uncle to many. He was known for his hospitality and eagerness to always extend a helping hand to those in need, especially to fellow Jamaicans navigating life in a new land. Most importantly, before all else, Joel was a man of God. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized as a young man. Joel served as a Deacon at Mountaintop Faith Apostolic Church, where he worshiped until the passing of its Founder and Pastor, Bishop Edward McCray. He then joined Christ Temple Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Superintendent Jesse L. Hodges, where he remained a devoted member until his passing.

Joel leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 50 years, Jenny Ellis; his five children, Paulette (Errol) Ellis-Percell, Vera, Joel, Jr., Jermaine, and Serica Ellis; his five grandchildren, DeJanara Reid of Atlanta, GA, Josephine Ware of Phoenix, AZ, Renaldo and Aaliyah Percell, and Eric Freeman, Jr.; and three great grandchildren, Zula and Luna Himes, and Zahir Percell. Joel is also survived by his brother Vincent Ellis and sister Meleva "Peaches" Ellis, both of Montego Bay, Jamaica, as well as numerous loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends, including his close friend of 40 years, Cedric Moodie. Joel was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Vera Ellis; and seven brothers, Ralford, Nerrick, Lutel, Weston, Ezra, Amon, and Leston Ellis.

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