Mrs. Madelyn Joy (Hughen) Ellison, 89, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away at her home June 30, 2023. Joy was born March 11, 1934, in Grayson, Louisiana, to the late James Cleveland and the late Maude Elizabeth (Sayes) Hughen.
Joy’s first house was on the railroad tracks in Grayson, Louisiana. She would watch for Hobos walking on the tracks from their barn loft. Her Mom would feed the Hobos in exchange for work around the house.
When Joy was 5 years old, she would stay with her Aunt Phemia and Uncle Charlie on their plantation. The sharecroppers had Saturday night barn dances. One Sunday morning Uncle Charlie was notified that there had been a killing at the dance so Joy rides with Uncle Charlie down to the quarters to pick up the suspect and take him to the sheriff.
At the age of 10, Joy and her friend would take the bus from Grayson to Columbia to go to the picture show. One day, they got out late from the movie and missed their bus, so they decided to walk the 4 miles back home. An old man stopped and offered to take them home. Joy never forgave her friend for making her sit in the middle next to the old man and his spit can.
In 1946, Joy moved to Mena and attended Central School in the 6th grade. At Mena High School, she loved being a Band Majorette.
Joy and L. G. were married December 31st, 1950, one month before L. G. shipped out to Korea for a year. Joy worked at many different businesses in Mena including the Mena Studio, Renova Shirt Factory, French’s Variety Store, Garmon Jewelry, Golden Crown and Leisure Lodge. She loved to fish and would take her middle son with her to Tom and Sid McBride’s pond near Acorn. Joy would tie him to a tree to keep him out of the water while she fished. Joy enjoyed going on camping trips in their RV and growing flowers. Joy was a longtime member of the Primitive Baptist Church of Mena.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Agnes Davis and Ruth Orman, Brothers Bill Hughen and Junior Hughen; and son Michael Ellison.
Joy is survived by her husband of 72 years, L. G. Ellison; sons, Larry Ellison of Mena, Rick and Karen Ellison of Acorn; Granddaughters, Lindsay and Michael Pitts of Greenwood, Arkansas, Kimberly and Jason Matejek of Vesta, Arkansas; grandson, Cody Ellison of Orlando, Florida; 8 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Jane Barron of Johnson, Arkansas; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special thanks to all the nurses and doctors at Mena Regional Health System and caregiver, Mandy Huber. Joy will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Graveside service will be Monday, July 3, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Pinecrest Memorial Park with Brother Dana Kinsey officiating. Interment will follow under the direction of the Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.
Online obituary at www.beasleywoodfuneralhome.com
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