Joyce Lee Ellerbe, passed away on August 29, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida. She was born on January 27, 1948, in Mattoon, Illinois, and lived a life marked by devotion to her family, steady work, and the quiet joys that made a house feel like home.

Joyce graduated from Lakeland High School where she enjoyed being a majorette all four years. She went on to build a long and faithful career with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, where she worked as an Administrative Assistant for more than 35 years. Her dedication was also evident in the life she built beyond her work. She was very dedicated to her family, and that love shaped the way she was known and remembered by those closest to her. She enjoyed thrift shopping and found happiness in simple, comforting moments, especially sitting out by the fire at home.

Her family was the heart of her life. Joyce is survived by her daughters, Brittany Johnson and Shannon Brown, and by her son-in-law, Terry Johnson. She also leaves behind a beloved and growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who carried great meaning in her life. Her grandchildren are Derrick Johnson, Jacob Johnson, Josh Johnson, Taylor Brown, and Bryce Brown. Her great-grandchildren are Annika Johnson, Sophia Johnson, Jaxson Rewis, Tripp Bridwell, and Rylee Bridwell. They are a lasting source of pride, love, and joy for her, and her memory .

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, David Ellerbe; her mother, Leona Sharp; her father, Edward Essary; her sisters, Janice Jacoby and Sandy Rueping; and her great-grandchild, Reagen Johnson.