JoAnn Ellis

Services for JoAnn Ellis, 78, of Ada are 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the Chickasaw Community Center, Pastor Zac Hawkins officiated. Burial followed at Pleasant Grove Cemetery. A wake service was held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Criswell Funeral Home. Ms. Ellis passed away Saturday, September 27, 2025, in Ada. She was born August 20, 1947, in Ada to Affason and Myrtle (Nelson) Brown.

She was a fluent speaker of the Chickasaw language and served as a Native Speaker/Language Specialist for the Chickasaw Nation. Ms. Ellis was a member of the Chickasaw Language Committee, a previous instructor for the Master/Apprentice program, and a previous member of the Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe. She was also an adjunct professor for Chickasaw language studies at East Central University in Ada.

She co-authored two cookbooks. ilimpa’chi We’re Gonna Eat! was the first cookbook produced by the Chickasaw Press, and it received the Oklahoma Book Award. ilittibaaimpa’ Let’s Eat Together! received The American Advertising Award and the Oklahoma Book Award.

The Chickasaw Nation honored her with the Silver Feather award in October 2024 for her dedication to preserving and revitalizing the Chickasaw culture and language.

Survivors include her two sons, John Clifton Ellis, II and wife Carmen of Ada and Jeremy Steve Ellis of Tupelo; daughter, Johnna Rozanne Walker and husband Darrell of Ada; grandchildren, Nacobi Nucosee and husband Blake, Alexis Bacon and husband Garrett, Dylan Walker, Christian Ellis, Trent Ellis and wife Alissa, Lauryn Watkins, John William Ellis, Jaxon Ellis, Hailey Ellis, Jayson Ellis, Jarrett Ellis, and Jayden Ellis; and eight great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Jamie Duane Ellis.

Bearers were grandsons Christian Ellis, Trent Ellis, Dylan Walker, Jayson Ellis, Jarrett Ellis, Jaxon Ellis, Jayden Ellis, and John William Ellis.