About Ellington Insurance
Putting our clients’ needs first, always.
We are extremely proud of our team here at Ellington Insurance Agency. Each person is well equipped to handle all of your insurance needs and provide you with professional, caring customer service. Our company takes pride in the family atmosphere that we have created. We promise to treat your comments and concerns with the utmost respect.
we work for you
As an independent insurance agency, our goal is to assist you in all your insurance needs. We will help you manage and plan for all your potential risks before they strike, and do it at the most competitive rates around.. As professionals, we assess your needs and offer you a variety of insurance products to choose from.
Service, whether it is in response to an insurance claim or general question, is the most important value we offer. In today’s world feeling like you are appreciated doesn’t always happen. At Ellington Insurance Agency we will never forget that we are here to serve you.
Portageville Branch
Mark Gibbins – President
Mark Gibbins is a leading commercial and business insurance broker and a third-generation professional in the industry following his father and grandfather. With more than 40 years of experience, Mark continues the Gibbins family tradition of delivering trustworthy, customized coverage solutions. He graduated from Arkansas State University with a degree in Insurance and Real Estate and is a past board member of the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents. Guided by a strong belief in God, Mark’s number one goal is for every client to know they are truly appreciated. Outside the office, he enjoys hunting, woodworking, and spending time with his five children: Summer, Payton, Abby, Lorelei, and Colt.
Tasha Portwood – Accounts Manager
Tasha started with Ellington Insurance in October of 2025 and currently works as the Accounts Manager. Prior to joining the crew at Ellington, she worked at Bank of New Madrid in New Madrid in the bookkeeping department. She is an active member of Crossroads Worship Center in Braggadocio, MO. Tasha grew up in Portageville and is now raising her daughter, Grace, here as well.
MeLissa Forrestor – CSR
MeLissa has worked with Ellington Insurance since 2004 and serves as a customer service representative. She grew up in Wardell and graduated from North Pemiscot High in 1995. MeLissa lives near Portageville with her husband, Chris. They have two children, Bogan and Jillian, and a grandchild, Charlie Grace. Those of you who have come in our office know that her kind personality makes her a favorite in our area. MeLissa is never caught without a smile.
Hilary Gibbins – CSR
Hilary Gibbins joined Ellington Insurance in 2021, shortly after graduating high school. From day one, she has been a friendly and welcoming face at the office, known for her ability to connect with new people and brighten their day. In her personal life, Hilary married Payton Gibbins in March 2024, marking a beautiful chapter in her life. The joy continued as they welcomed their son in March 2025. Hilary brings the same warmth and dedication from her personal life to the working environment at Ellington Insurance, ensuring every client feels valued and supported.
Brandy Conaway – Personal Lines CSR
Brandy started at Ellington in 2022. Prior to Ellington she worked at Portageville Health Care Center. Brandy held many different positions at the Portageville Health Care Center. Positions included Life Enhancement Director, HR/Office Manager, and Social Services Director/Admissions Coordinator. Brandy confesses that she has the best husband, Heath Conaway, and among the 2 of them, they share 3 teenagers. Joshy, Hayden and Kenna. The two of them are also expecting a new bundle of joy on the way, December 2025, Laney. Brandy’s hobbies include spending time with family, traveling, going to games, and watching tv.
Kim Walton – Personal Lines Manager
Kim started in the insurance industry in 2000 and is currently responsible for managing personal lines of coverage such as Homeowners, Personal Auto, Watercraft, Motorcycles, and Personal Umbrella. She grew up in Rome, GA and moved to Southeast Missouri in 1983. Kim and her husband Richard live near Portageville and have two children, Britney and Tasha, and four grandchildren. Kim enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
Mona Marion – Commercial Lines Manager
Mona started with Ellington Insurance in 2007 and currently works as a Commercial Lines Manager. She can help with coverage such as Commercial General Liability, Business Auto Coverage, Workers Compensation, and a variety of other coverages you may need as a business owner. Mona grew up in Gideon and married her high school sweetheart Kelly. They have twin sons, Zachary – wife Rosalie Marion and Dilan – wife Emma Marion. Two granddaughters, Lyra and Flora Marion. She enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Caruthersville Branch
Sikeston Branch
Abby Johnson – Personal Lines CSR
Abby is the daughter of Mark. Abby graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a B.S. in Business Administration and began working for Ellington Insurance in 2020. She is a fourth-generation insurance broker and can be found at the Caruthersville branch. She enjoys many hobbies including hunting, being with family, and saving people money. Abby now lives in Senath with her spouse Clay.
Tammy Ross – Commercial CSR
Tammy began her insurance career in 2001. Since then, she has gained experience across multiple lines, including Life, Health, Long-Term Care, Property & Casualty, Crop, and Commercial insurance. In 2025 Tammy begin working for Ellington Insurance. Following the 2006 tornado in Caruthersville, Tammy worked with FEMA to help provide housing for displaced families. Tammy was born and raised in Caruthersville, Missouri, Tammy still proudly calls it home, where she lives with her husband, John. They enjoy being busy with a variety of DIY projects and working in their yard. Together, they have three adult children, Shane, Lane, and Peyton—and two cherished granddaughters, Serenity and Trinity, with whom they spend nearly every weekend. Tammy’s home is also filled with furry family members: Louis, a Goldendoodle, and Brookes, a German Shepherd. Tammy and John also adore their two “grand dogs,” Nog, a Pitbull, and Murphy, another Goldendoodle.
Payton Gibbins – Personal Lines CSR
Payton Gibbins is the 4th generation in the insurance business. After graduating high school in 2016, Payton’s ambition led him to start at Ellington in 2020. Thus, following in the footsteps of his father and generations before him.
In March of 2024, Payton married his wife, Hilary. Their family grew in March of 2025 when they welcomed their son, who Payton calls his “hunting buddy.”
Payton is known for his friendly nature and dedication to his family. Beyond his professional and family life, Payton also serves as a volunteer firefighter, a role he took on in 2018. Payton recently joined Sikeston Jaycee’s in 2025 and has participated in many of the festivities that come with being a Jaycee member. Payton has a friendly face and is always willing to lend a helping hand. If you cannot make it to Payton, Payton will make it to you.
Hayley Carpenter – CSR/Assistant/Receptionist
Hayley began working at Ellington Insurance in June of 2024. Before that, Hayley worked at a local Pharmacy in her hometown as a Pharmacy Technician, from August of 2019 to May of 2024. Hayley graduated from Portageville High School in May of 2016, and from there, she went to Southeast Missouri State University. Hayley has been blessed with two beautiful children. Hayley enjoys the little things in life. She believes in the power of the Holy Spirit, in the leadership of the Lord, and in the “wake up call” that a fresh brewed cup of coffee gives. Hayley believes that a bad day is truly not that. That any day can change with a smile, and a warm greeting. Rest assured, when you enter the doors of Ellington Insurance, in Sikeston, she will be the sweet “southern twang”, welcoming you.
Laurie Stark – Personal Lines CSR
Laurie worked for Ferguson Medical Group for 32 years and has been working in insurance for almost 6 years. Laurie started with Self Insurance in January 2020 until Ellington insurance bought Self Insurance in 2025. That is when her journey with Ellington Insurance began. Laurie is our Personal Lines CSR at our Sikeston office. Laurie is organized and very disciplined. She gives each insured the very best and stays on top of each policy, to make sure all is well. Laurie has been married to her husband, Chad for 20 years and together, they have three children and four grandchildren. In her spare time, she loves spending time with family and friends, whilst making memories.
Angie Sharp – Commercial Lines CSR
Angie worked in banking for over 30 years and has been working in insurance for almost 7 years when she started at Self Insurance in June of 2019 until Ellington insurance bought Self Insurance in 2025. Angie is our Commercial Lines CSR at our Sikeston office and can also help in our personal lines area as well. Angie grew up on the east coast and moved to Sikeston in 1994 she has been married to her husband Woody for 42 years and they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. She loves to travel and has been to places like Africa, Austria, Peru, Scotland, and several other wonderful countries. Angie enjoys experiencing other cultures and getting a better understanding of the world around us.
Jeremy Crook – Multi-Lines CSR
Jeremy was born and raised in southeast MO. He has been in insurance for 15 years; Jeremy writes and sells all lines. Jeremy has been married for 21 years, and my wife is a Kindergarten teacher here, in Sikeston, MO. Jeremy has one daughter that is a senior in high school and will graduate in 2026. Jeremy’s daughter plans on attending Arkansas State next year. (GO RED WOLVES). Jeremy enjoys hunting, spending time with friends and family and watching my daughter play sports. Jeremy also stays busy with my other business, SEMO Funky Foam.
