Joyce Olean Kelly, 83, of Thomasville, GA, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2024 after a 7-year battle with Alzheimer's. This disease was brutal on her, but even towards the end you could almost always look at her and she’d give you that sweet smile and flash those pretty blue eyes.
Joyce is survived by three children, Tim Powell, Shon Powell and wife Robin Powell, Jeannie Powell and wife Carol Capion; 3 grandchildren, Teal Powell Glow, Malone Powell Taylor and Dalton Norman along with 3 great grandchildren.
As her daughter, our Mother was one of the strongest women that I’ve ever known. I’m pretty sure she never fully realized her own strength but it was evident in her accomplishments and her life. She always managed to do what needed to be done. After high school, she put herself through nursing school in order to be a self-sufficient woman. Later on in life she put herself through Cosmetology school and went on to run a successful Salon “Hairstyles by Joyce”, all while raising three kids. With sheer determination, she was able to pay off our farm, help put me through college and provide for us all. Her strength sustained us and her undying devotion and love helped us through many struggles. We will never forget the love she brought to all of our lives.
After the passing of her husband, Dwight Powell, and with a little push from her best friends Josephine Parker and Duane Duncan, she was able to reconnect with her high school sweetheart Malcolm Kelly. Once reunited they were finally happily married on 11/3/1985. Malcolm lost no time totally spoiling our Mother and she deserved every minute of it! He was truly a miracle that God had given our family. The grandchildren, Teal and Malone, dubbed him “Papa” so he became lovingly known by all of us as “Papa”.
Gardening and flowers was our Mom’s first passion. If a plant bloomed in South Georgia, she had it planted in our yard. She and “Papa” spent countless hours riding around in her golf cart while planting, weeding and making the yard a beautiful sanctuary. It made them so proud when people drove by and wanted pictures of their beautiful yard.
Fishing was a close second. All three of us got our love of fishing from our Mom and her father, “Granddaddy”, John Henry Johnson. I guess the love of fishing may actually be an inherited trait.
Mom adored all three of her grandchildren and loved doting on them as children. So many smiles of joy and pride came from “Nana” and “Papa” being a special part of their lives. She was so proud of Malone’s accomplishments and spunk and she was proud to see some of herself reflected in Teal. They spent much time with the girls as a young children and they cherished every minute of it. Teal and David later blessed them with three beautiful great grandbabies. She was honored to have Tim’s son, Dalton, her grandson join the Marines to serve his country.
Her Memorial Service will be held at 5:00pm on October 4th, 2024 in the Chapel of Allen and Allen Funeral Home in Thomasville, GA.
Donations to American Alzheimer’s Society in her name are appreciated
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce Olean Kelly, please visit our flower store.
Joyce is survived by three children, Tim Powell, Shon Powell and wife Robin Powell, Jeannie Powell and wife Carol Capion; 3 grandchildren, Teal Powell Glow, Malone Powell Taylor and Dalton Norman along with 3 great grandchildren.
As her daughter, our Mother was one of the strongest women that I’ve ever known. I’m pretty sure she never fully realized her own strength but it was evident in her accomplishments and her life. She always managed to do what needed to be done. After high school, she put herself through nursing school in order to be a self-sufficient woman. Later on in life she put herself through Cosmetology school and went on to run a successful Salon “Hairstyles by Joyce”, all while raising three kids. With sheer determination, she was able to pay off our farm, help put me through college and provide for us all. Her strength sustained us and her undying devotion and love helped us through many struggles. We will never forget the love she brought to all of our lives.
After the passing of her husband, Dwight Powell, and with a little push from her best friends Josephine Parker and Duane Duncan, she was able to reconnect with her high school sweetheart Malcolm Kelly. Once reunited they were finally happily married on 11/3/1985. Malcolm lost no time totally spoiling our Mother and she deserved every minute of it! He was truly a miracle that God had given our family. The grandchildren, Teal and Malone, dubbed him “Papa” so he became lovingly known by all of us as “Papa”.
Gardening and flowers was our Mom’s first passion. If a plant bloomed in South Georgia, she had it planted in our yard. She and “Papa” spent countless hours riding around in her golf cart while planting, weeding and making the yard a beautiful sanctuary. It made them so proud when people drove by and wanted pictures of their beautiful yard.
Fishing was a close second. All three of us got our love of fishing from our Mom and her father, “Granddaddy”, John Henry Johnson. I guess the love of fishing may actually be an inherited trait.
Mom adored all three of her grandchildren and loved doting on them as children. So many smiles of joy and pride came from “Nana” and “Papa” being a special part of their lives. She was so proud of Malone’s accomplishments and spunk and she was proud to see some of herself reflected in Teal. They spent much time with the girls as a young children and they cherished every minute of it. Teal and David later blessed them with three beautiful great grandbabies. She was honored to have Tim’s son, Dalton, her grandson join the Marines to serve his country.
Her Memorial Service will be held at 5:00pm on October 4th, 2024 in the Chapel of Allen and Allen Funeral Home in Thomasville, GA.
Donations to American Alzheimer’s Society in her name are appreciated
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