Joyce Ann Kelso's Obituary
Joyce Ann Kelso, 90, passed away on Sunday, June 2nd, 2024. Joyce was born August 3rd, 1933, in Burlison, Tennessee to Mattie Viola Richardson and John Elmer Richardson. She moved to Memphis in 1942 and attended Treadwell High School. She was active throughout high school as a cheerleader, ROTC sponsor, and participated in school clubs. She was a member of Highland Heights Baptist Church and met her husband Buddy Kelso there at the age of 14, eventually marrying in 1951.
Joyce was a devoted Christian, wife and mother of three children, spending her early years as a PTA mother and school room parent. She spent countless hours involved in children’s baton, dance, and piano recitals. She spent an abundance of time in the stands at ballgames, always in support of her children. She was an excellent seamstress, primarily sewing her girls’ clothes for school and church. Joyce remained close to high school friends, and she remained active in her Bunco Club throughout her life.
Joyce used her talent in crafts as she entered into business with her husband, opening a gift shop called The Wharf at the Lakeland Belz Factory Outlet Mall in 1982. This store was eventually redesigned into a custom frame and local print shop called The Lighthouse Gallery. Buddy and Joyce retired from this business after 25 years.
Joyce is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, William Robert Kelso (Buddy). She is also preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters. Joyce leaves her son, William Robert "Buster" Kelso, Jr. (Kathy) and daughters Dena Kay Williams (Tom), Anita Jo Langston (Keith). She also leaves grandchildren Kacie Kelso Mellen, Ethan Martin Langston (Anna) and Scottie Kelso Sheets (Jonathan). Her beloved great-grandchildren include Madeline, Lucas, and Beckett, Owen and Olivia, and Elizabeth and James. She was a devoted aunt to multiple nieces and nephews.
Services are Saturday, June 8th at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Memphis. Visitation will be from 9am until 10am with funeral services at 10:00. Internment will occur following the chapel service at Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family requests donations to St. Jude Hospital or LeBonheuer Children’s Hospital in lieu of flowers.
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