Joe Marie Ellett Hanna

Joe Marie Ellett Hanna, 87, passed away on July 6, 2023. She was born November 11th, 1935, in West Monroe, Louisiana to the late D.X. Ellett and Mary Munholland Ellett. Joe Marie grew up in West Monroe and lived most of her life in the Monroe area. She married her sweetheart, Henry “Hank” Hanna, Jr. on July 15, 1972, in her cousin Clara Montgomery’s backyard. 

Joe Marie graduated from Neville High School. She attended Stephens College before graduating in Elementary Education from Louisiana Tech University in 1957. She went on to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas and studied theology. Her first job was in New Orleans working in Christian Education during the time that Hurricane Betsy went through New Orleans.

Joe Marie started her public teaching career in Franklin Parish in 1972 at Winnsboro High School. Upon her move back to Monroe she taught at Lakeshore Elementary School in Ouachita Parish until her retirement. While at Lakeshore she taught gifted math and sponsored the newspaper staff.

Mrs. Hanna was a member of First Methodist Monroe. She was part of the Aldersgate Sunday School class and the Chancel Choir. She was also active in many other educational, religious, and community support groups. These included P.E.O. Chapter AZ, Alpha Delta Kappa Chapter Rho, Republican Women, Junior Study Club, and United Methodist Women. She also started and led a small group of teachers called T.G.I.F., which stood for Teachers Growing In Faith that met monthly and created lifelong bonds across denominations.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Hank, with whom she shared 50 earthly years together and her sister-in-law, Jane Ellett, whom she shared so many common interests. Those left to cherish her memory include her brother, John Ellett of West Monroe; nephew, David Ellett and wife Katrina of Houston, Texas; niece, Diana Ellett Butler and husband Tom of Nashville, Tennessee; nephew, Darin Ellett and wife Stephanie of West Monroe, Louisiana. She is also survived by many cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews. Special thanks also to her great friends, Cheryl Lawrence and Cheryl Carr, for all their help and support. 

Joe Marie’s celebration of life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 15, 2023, at First Methodist Church in Monroe, LA on Loop Road, with Rev. Shawn Hornsby officiating, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home Sterlington Rd., Monroe, LA. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church. Interment will follow at Hasley Cemetery in West Monroe, next to her loving husband.