Loyce Ilene Lowery Ellis, 80, of Waco passed away peacefully Friday evening at 9:58 pm, June 30, 2017 at Providence Hospice Place. Services will be Thursday, July 6 at 10 am at OakCrest Funeral Home with interment to follow at Rosemound Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 5 from 6 to 8 pm at the funeral home. Pallbearers honoring their Granny and Aunt are Jeff January, Lauren January, Lisa Ling, Brian Gray, Joey Gray, Jason Ellis, Carole Ellis, and James Conley

Loyce was born April 4, 1937 in Waco to Percy Magee and Ruby Jewell (Gibson) Lowery along with her twin sister Joyce, a few minutes later. She attended Waco schools and on January 4, 1954 married Joe Hill Ellis. Loyce was deeply devoted to her family. She spent her time taking care of her husband and children. She enjoyed collecting knick knacks and watching classic movies and crime dramas on TV. Loyce worked in housekeeping in the hospitality industry and later at Hillcrest Hospital for nearly 25 years. Loyce is preceded in death by her parents; her much loved twin, Joyce LaVelle in 2006, her beloved husband, Joe in 2007 and her son, Jerry Ray Ellis in 2009. Also, her much loved siblings who welcomed her to Heaven’s Homecoming; brothers, Johnny and Kenneth Lowery, sisters Pam Heckscher, Mildred Goss, Bonnie Ruth Lowery and Linda Lou Dillon.

She is survived by her son, Michael Joe Ellis; daughters, Linda Carole Stroud and husband, Danny and Pamela Jean Gray and husband, Gary; brother, Robert Claar and wife, Patti; 12 grandchildren; Brian Gray, Joey Gray, Jason Ellis, Shannon Jumonville, Carole Ellis, Jeff January, Lauren January, Lisa Ling, Laney Pierson, Samantha Stroud, Colton Stroud and Lara York; several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, especially her twin sister’s son, Jimmy LaVelle, who was completely devoted to his “Aunt Ma”; and her 4 legged friends, Punkin and Lexie.

A special thank you to Providence Hospital ICU nurses and the Providence Hospice Place staff for their outstanding care and constant support and to Sandy Parker for all her help and companionship.