Joyce (Childers) Kelley

Joyce (Childers) Kelley, 81, former Tecumseh, Oklahoma resident passed from this life Monday, August 30, 2021 in Edmond.

She was born September 1, 1939 to Jim and Effie (Epperson) Childers, Sr. in Tecumseh, Oklahoma.

Joyce was raised in Tecumseh where she attended Tecumseh Public Schools.

She married Ronald Kelley on March 9, 1957 in Romulus, Oklahoma.  Shortly after they married, Ron joined the Air Force and they raised their family at numerous bases throughout the country.  After Ron retired from the Air Force they settled back to Tecumseh in 1977 and have since lived here.  He preceded her in death on March 4, 2003.

Joyce was a devoted military wife to Ron and supported him through his 43 years of Federal Service to his country.  Joyce also worked as a director for several daycares for many years.  She was known as “Nana” to her grandchildren and “GiGi” to her great-grandchildren.  Joyce enjoyed gospel music and traveling to Branson, Missouri; but her greatest passion was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Kelley; her parents, Jim and Effie Childers, Sr.; brothers, Vernon Childers, Ranzy Childers, Earl Childers and Dub Childers; sisters, Elsie McClanahan, Dorthy Wall and Bessie Limke; and daughter-in-law, Marci Kelley.

Those left to cherish her memory are daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Rick Hale of Edmond, OK; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Paula Kelley of Blanchard, OK; 5 grandchildren, Kelli Stump of Oklahoma City, OK, Matt Stump of Oklahoma City, OK, Courtney and Dan Dickensheet of Edmond, OK, Hanna and Nathan Mast of Weatherford, OK, and Cody Kelley and Hollie Wood of Lubbock, TX; 3 great-grandchildren, Kennedy Dickensheet, Madison Dickensheet and Addie Kelley; 3 sisters and 1 brother-in-law, Deanie Isaacs of Duncan, OK, Deloris and Toney Prewett of Tecumseh, OK and Pat Bowden of Tecumseh, OK; 1 brother, Joe Childers of Tecumseh, OK; 2 sisters-in-law, Ellen Childers of Seminole, OK and Katherine Childers of Seminole, OK; and 1 brother-in-law, Ralph Limke of Mustang, OK; and many loving friends and extended family.

Service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 3, 2021 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Gary Burrows officiating. Per Joyce’s wishes the Casket will remain closed.  Burial will follow at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. Please join the celebration of Joyce’s life through Cooper Funeral Home’s Facebook page for live streaming of the service.