Joyce Hensley Kelley

Joyce Hensley Kelley, 77, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

She was born on March 30, 1945 to the late Merley Henry Hensley and Ethel Jane Bradley Hensley.

More than anything, Joyce loved the Lord and was a powerful Christian example. She often asked others if they knew where they would spend eternity. She enjoyed being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and leaves behind a great legacy of loved ones of having helped lead them all to the Lord. Joyce retired from Baxter following over 35 years of service and served for many years as a Sunday School teacher at State Street Church of God, and was a current member of Solid Rock Free Will Baptist Church. She loved singing, sewing, and cutting up. She also liked to travel with her family and enjoyed morning walks on the beach. Joyce was an avid reader, especially of her Bible which she read countless times through each year. Throughout her life, she spent precious, close time with each of her children.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Albert William Kelley; one son, William Andrew Kelley; one granddaughter, Emily Grace McKinney; five brothers, Leslie “Lecil”, Ralph, Glenn, Bill, and Bobby Hensley; and a niece, Janet Hensley.

She leaves behind four children, Frankie Kelley, Tony Kelley, Paula Kelley Holt (Roy), and Jeannie McKinney (Joey); son-in-law, Jim Robinson; grandchildren, Casey Finley, Colton Kelley (Abigail), Kierlan Kelley, Aviah Kelly, Hudson Biddix, Leslie Lowdermilk (Clay), James Kite (Pamela), Kandice Kelley (Curtis), Britney Gardner (John), Kayla Nichols (Casey), Brandon Smith (Sophie), Cassie McKinney, and Ethan McKinney; great grandchildren, Carson, Caroline, Charlie, Carter, Cameron, Grayson, Sadie, Sophia, Sawyer, Wesson, and two on the way, Waylon and William; one sister, Melva Hensley Wall; sister-in-law, Janice Hensley; special nieces, Crystal Gill (Charlie) and Debra Harrison (Bill); nephew, Brian Hensley (Jill); and many other great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 22, 2022 during the 11:00 a.m. service at Solid Rock Free Will Baptist Church with Pastor JB Cope officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m.