Joe Ellen Bremer—1932-2025

Joe Ellen Sanders Bremer, 93, passed away peacefully December 6 at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, where she had lived for the past six years. She enjoyed the company of close friends and her favorite meal from Mel’s hotdogs just the day before.

She was born Joe Ellen Sanders, April 7, 1932 in Chester, South Carolina, to the late Joe Hardin Sanders and Frances Davis Sanders and had an older brother and a younger sister.

She was the widow of August W. Bremer, and was preceded in death by her brother, John D Sanders. She is survived by her sister, Frankie Sanders Haverty. Joe had three children with her first husband James S. Harris: Jennifer Harris Bernegger (John Bernegger), Jane Anne Harris (Christopher Cleaver), and Joe Sanders Harris (known as Josh) (Julie Heipp).

Joe graduated from Limestone College receiving a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and taught school for many years. After she married Jim in 1957, they lived in Columbia, South Carolina where their first daughter, Jennifer, was born. They then moved to Tampa in 1962 where they welcomed Jane and Josh. In 1985, Joe married her second husband, Bill Bremer and moved to Athens, Georgia where they lived happily for 13 years. She and Bill were very active in Athens First United Methodist Church. After Bill passed in 1998 she returned to Tampa and became an active member and supporter of Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. Joe served on the Session at FHPC, was an active member of the choir, served on the board of directors at The Learning Center, was an integral part of the annual Holiday Bazaar, chaired the Kitchen Committee and played in the Bell Choir. Joe and friend, Sonja Dickey, spent countless hours playing in the dirt of the Community Garden, loving every minute of it and trying to stay ahead of the weeds.

No moss grew under Joe’s feet! She was an accomplished woodworker, became a pilot in her 40s, learned to scuba dive and took up motorcycle riding. She was an ardent traveler, making overseas trips with both husbands and a road trip throughout North America with her sister-in-law, Jane Sanders.

Joe Ellen loved being a parent but was even more thrilled to be an “Omi.”Joe had two grandchildren from Jane, Patrick Hardin Lagan (Amanda) & Brennan Thomas Lagan (Alison) and three grandchildren from Josh, Jordan Heipp Harris, Jason James Harris and Jessica Ann Harris. Joe Ellen was additionally thrilled when she became a great grandmother to Payton Jane Lagan and Brynnlee Marie Harner from Patrick.

The family is eternally grateful to Josh and Julie for their endless love and care of Joe Ellen - our mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be determined.

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