Elva Jean Wells Ellis, 94, of Bay City, TX passed away at Legacy Healthcare Center on April 17, 2022.  She was born in Broaddus, TX on June 1, 1927 to the late Marion "Potsy" and Mayme Dessye Wells. She and her family moved to Collegeport, TX, where she lived until she married Robert "Bob" Ellis on December 21, 1944.  They lovingly raised two daughters and a son in McAllen, TX, Van Vleck, TX and Stavanger, Norway.

After having her three children, she returned to school and attended Wharton County Junior College and then the University of Houston where she obtained her college degree and teaching certificate.  She taught math from 1964 to 1973 in Van Vleck, Texas, and was a participating member of Beta Sigma Fi, before her teaching career was interrupted by a decision to move to Norway.  While in Norway, she supported Bob in his endeavor in operating one of the first offshore drilling rigs in the North Sea, began speaking beginner's Norwegian, learned to sew men's suits, forged many friendships, and perfected antique furniture shopping in a foreign country. Upon returning to the States, she taught one year at Tidehaven before retiring from teaching. In retirement, she became a retail entrepreneur opening up a storefront on the square in Bay City, Texas, cleverly called Jeans & Things.  A few years later after Bob officially retired, they traveled frequently, built a vacation home in Bayfield, Colorado, and she undertook projects such as watercolor painting, crocheting, and writing.

She was a charter member of First Baptist Church of Van Vleck, Texas.  In later years she was a member of First Baptist Church of Bay City, First Baptist Church of West Columbia, Trinity Baptist Church of Trinity, and then First Baptist Church of Brazoria.  She was an  ardent contributor to women's ministries, an active youth leader, a member of the choir and a seasoned Sunday School teacher.

Elva Jean is survived by her two daughters, Sheila Hanna and husband Paul and Debra Tepera and husband George; her grandchildren, Robert Hanna, Tammi Hanna Parkey and husband William, Chad Tepera, Jeana Tepera Tiner and husband Darryl; her great grandchildren Kayla, Trent and Jesse Tepera, Chase, Justin and Morgan Winthrop, Andrew Tiner, Jackie Tiner, and Christa Hughes; ten great-great grandchildren; her sister-in-law Bertha Wells and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, son Terry O'Neil Ellis and her brothers Marcus Durward "Durb" Wells and wife Peggy and Emmit Donald "Don" Wells.

The family will receive friends and loved ones beginning at 1:00 pm Thursday, April 21, 2022 at First Baptist Church Bay City. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 pm with Leslie Davis officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.