Judy Ann (Payne) Ellis

Service for Judy Ann (Payne) Ellis will be 2:00p.m., Friday, November 21, 2025, at MMS-Payne Funeral Home Chapel, burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday, November 20, from 2pm-7pm, with family receiving visitors from 5pm-7pm. Judy passed away on November 14, 2025, at the age of 77.

Judy was born on June 18, 1948, in Claremore, Oklahoma, to Floyd Eugene and Mammie Mae (Brown) Payne. Her education began in Claremore and continued across various states including New Mexico and Arizona, before she proudly graduated from Claremore High School with the class of 1968. She pursued further studies at Northeastern State University and completed her education at the Oklahoma Military Academy, where she was honored to be voted queen one year.

Throughout her career, Judy showcased her diverse talents in several roles. She was a skilled hairstylist and worked for Jean Lawhorn, a compassionate counselor at the Tulsa Detention Center, and later, a dedicated medical transcriber at St. Francis Hospital. On December 15, 1989, she married Jim W. Ellis, and together they created a home full of love, first in Texas and then in Oklahoma, moving from Cushing to Tulsa.

Judy was known for her adventurous spirit. Always ready to embark on a new journey—be it shopping for the latest styles or picking flowers for her cherished garden—she exemplified liveliness. Her passion for life remained evident through her hobbies; she took immense joy in spending quality time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Her culinary skills were legendary in her family, particularly her mouth-watering chicken and dumplings, a recipe she learned from her mother that was always made in generous portions for all to enjoy.

Above all, Judy's selflessness defined her character. She cherished those around her, consistently making others her priority and expressing her love through thoughtful gifts. Her warmth and generosity will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Judy is survived by her devoted husband, Jim Ellis of their home in Tulsa; her children, Ricky Payne of Claremore, Robert Knight of Austin, TX, Chad Knight of Claremore, Ricky Ellis and wife Tara of Austin, TX, Kisla Kornegay of Kilgore, TX, and Josh Ellis and wife Shauna of Rockwall, TX; her 13 grandchildren; and her 4 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind many extended family members and a multitude of friends who admired and loved her deeply. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd Eugene and Mammie Mae (Brown) Payne, as well as her siblings, Herchel "Gene" Payne, Ernest H. Payne, Violet "Butch" Chambers, and Mildred Denton.

Judy's legacy of love and kindness will live on in the hearts of those she touched throughout her remarkable life.