Surrounded by his children singing him into his eternal home, Calvin Leroy Ellis, Sr., age 69, passed away peacefully at St. Francis hospital in Bartlett, TN on January 24, 2021. Calvin Sr. had an infectious smile and laugh that could brighten the day, and a natural gift of fostering relationships while mentoring and impacting others with his wisdom and knowledge.

Calvin was born on December 3, 1951 in Marianna, FL to the parents of Vicie Moore and Aaron Ellis, Jr. He was raised by his great grandmother, Lela Clark, until she passed away and he moved to Tampa, FL in 1961.  While in Tampa, he was raised by his grandparents, Lonzo and Willie Mae Williams.  He graduated from H.B. Plant High School in 1969 and began college courses before enlisting in the US Navy in January of 1972. While stationed in Memphis, he met and later Married the mother of his children,  Elois Hudson.  They celebrated the birth of three children; Alishia, Calvin, Jr., and Shayla.  After his military career, he completed his Bachelor's degree at Lemoyne Owen College in Business Administration.  Calvin was a jack of all trades, specializing in business and entrepreneurial ventures throughout his career.  He moved back to Tampa and began working as an independent contractor for United Cab Company, where he met his loving wife, Joan Anderson. They retired in Marianna, FL where they were active members of Jerusalem AME Church, FAMU Alumni Association, The Blinded Veterans Association, Golden Key Club, NAACP, Democratic National Party, Southern Poverty Law Center and AARP.  He was an avid reader, who loved all things finance and loved to swim. He was notorious for an unannounced family visit, and he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Calvin, Sr.'s spirit lives on through his loving wife, Joan Ellis, of New Orleans, LA; his siblings, Evangeline "Honeybun" Bryant (John) of Tampa, FL, Carolyn "Peaches" Kennedy (Scott) of Sarasota, FL, Elbert "Pip" Payne (Leslie) of Tampa, FL, Reginald "Reggie" Mention of Tampa, FL, Bernard Ellis (Paula) of Houston, TX, Jocelyn Dominique (Paul, Sr.) of Dallas, TX, Matthew Ellis (Sharron) of Dallas, TX, and Tracey Beaulieu of Canada; his children, Alishia Ellis Heaston of Memphis, TN, Calvin Leroy Ellis, Jr. (Jauna) of Memphis,TN and Shayla Renee' Ellis of Palmetto, FL; his grandchildren, Sean Ellis Heaston, Caleb Ellis, Carrington Ellis, Devin Donaldson and countless aunts, uncles cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws who will miss him beyond words.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Vicie Mae Woodruff and Aaron Ellis, Sr.; his brother Aaron Ellis, III and sister, Julia Woodruff.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Calvin Ellis, Sr., will be held Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church, 4055 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111. A visitation for family and friends will be held at Jefferson Mortuary, Inc., 7788 Church Street , Millington, TN 38053 this Friday evening , January 29th from 5 - 7 p.m .

Interment will take place at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on February 9th at 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Calvin's honor to the Blinded Veterans Association and The Southern Poverty Law Center, two organizations he was extremely passionate about.

Mask and social distancing will be enforced at all events.

Jefferson Mortuary, Inc. has charge:

(901) 872-8800 Phone

(901) 872-4722 Fax

jeffersonortuary@yahoo.com