Joy Evangeline (Kelsey) Johnson, 95, of Russell County, KY passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. She was born on February 18, 1929, a daughter of the late Jonah and Ada Kelsey.
Joy grew up in the Eli community of Russell County. She was a long-time member of the Pine Grove Separate Baptist Church. Joy graduated from Russell County High School and was Salutatorian of her graduating class. She loved learning and wanted to be a teacher, so she started school at Lindsey Wilson College. In 1950, while attending a Sunday School Convention in Jabez. KY, she met and then married Osburn Johnson. They moved to and lived in Lincoln Park, Michigan. Upon her husband’s death in 1969, she and her children moved back to Russell County where she completed her associate’s degree at Lindsey Wilson College, and completed a vocational training program in business. In 1976, she and her son, Robby, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where they owned and operated a florist business. Joy also worked at Gibson Greeting Company for 10 years. In 1986, she retired and moved back to Somerset, KY, living there until 2017 when she moved to a lovely cabin on her daughter and son-in-law’s family farm in Monticello, KY.
Joy loved living on the farm, as that’s how her childhood was spent. She loved to sit on the front porch during the evenings and watch the cattle, the birds and other wildlife. She loved being near her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, watching them work and play. Joy was an avid reader, just like her mother, and loved Christian fiction, reading 3-4 books each week, up until her final week at home. She also loved reading the Bible and talking about the scriptures. She loved family gatherings and spending time with everyone. Joy was a woman of great faith with a kind and gentle spirit. Her love and self-sacrifice for others will not be forgotten in this life and will be greatly rewarded by her Lord.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Osburn; a son, Robby; five brothers: M.O. (Mut), Karlus (Kay), M.E. (Boots), Bernard and Kendal (Sam); and four sisters: Olva, Polly, Adine and Jan.
SURVIVORS:
1 daughter: Sherry DeBord (Steve)
3 grandchildren: Stephen DeBord (Jeri), Sarah Weddle (Shane), and Susanne Martin (Johnny)
8 great-grandchildren: Tobi (Caleb), Thomas, Aubree, Cami, Kelci, Levi, Braden and Ellie Kate
1 great-great-grandchild: Colby
Funeral Service: Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 2:00pmCT at Bernard Funeral Home with Bro. David Sargent officiating
Burial: Coffey’s Chapel Cemetery
Visitation: After 12:00pmCT on Saturday
Arrangements are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.
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