Juanita Louise Ellis

Juanita Louise Brown Ellis, of Colcord, Oklahoma, passed away July 1, 2026, at the age of 76. Louise was born September 22, 1949, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, to Lloyd Earl Brown Sr. and Harriet Mae (Lambeth) Brown. Her father wasn’t present for her delivery, and her mother—knowing full well he didn’t like the name—chose Juanita. As it turned out, Louise didn’t like it either, so she went by her middle name all her life. Louise spent her early years moving back and forth between Oklahoma and California before her family settled in the Colcord area, where she graduated from Colcord High School. She married the love of her life, Larry Dale Ellis, on December 16, 1966, before the Justice of the Peace in Jay, Oklahoma. She faithfully kept the home fires burning stateside while Larry served his tour in Vietnam. Louise and Larry lovingly raised their family in Colcord. She was a faithful member of the Colcord Church of Christ, where Larry ministered for more than 45 years. Louise devoted her entire working life to bettering the lives of children—first through her home daycare, then as a Head Start teacher, and finally in the Colcord Public School library, where she shared her love of books with generations of students. Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Dale Ellis; her son, Travis Andrew Ellis; her parents; her brothers, Kenneth Brown and Earl Brown; and her sisters, Marlene Lawrence and Doris Clay. She is survived by her daughter Becky Farris and husband Will; her daughter Angie Goucher and husband Grant; and her son Michael Ellis and wife Missy. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were her pride and joy: Emily Jobes and husband Austin, and their children Alden and Siena; William Farris and wife Emalee, and their son Jude; Matthew Farris and wife Aaliyah, and their daughters Avonlea and Irelia; Allison Winn and husband Ben, and their sons Levi and Hudson; Kaitlyn Reed and husband Jakeb, and their children Adelyn and Owen; Zachary Haley and his daughter Zayda; Meegan Jones and husband Thomas, and their sons Nathan and Henrik; Michaela Ellis and her son Archer; Merrick Ellis; Miracle Mahan and husband Shane, and their daughters Iris and Starlie; Maya Lawrence; Destiny Smith and her children Kaide and Sterling; Shelby Hanson and husband Eli, and their son Felix; and Kelsey Goucher. She also leaves behind a host of extended family and friends whose lives she touched. Her best friends, Thelma Saklar, Beryl VanDyke, and Mary Lou Barbee, enriched her life greatly with their weekly outings and domino game days. A visitation will be held Monday, July 6, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Both will be held at the Colcord Church of Christ.

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Juanita Louise Ellis

September 22, 1949 - July 1, 2026