Joann Kelsey

JoAnn Kelsey, resident of Ponca City, passed away Friday, July 11, 2008 at the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was 77. JoAnn was born the daughter of Amos Lee Work and Addie Ivon Gerard in Oilton, Oklahoma on February 14, 1931. She grew up in Oilton where she was the pianist at the Baptist Church, her school, and various other functions. At Oilton High School, she played basketball and was named the band queen her senior year. She was a member of the Rainbow Girls and attained the status of Grand Worthy Advisor. After finishing high school she went to Tulsa, Oklahoma where she completed a business degree from Draughns School of Business. On July 7, 1951 she married Howard Kelsey and the couple made their home in Shidler, Oklahoma until she moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma in the early 1980's. To this union four children were born. JoAnn worked at TGY and then K-Mart until the store closed. She also sold Tupperware for some years. JoAnn enjoyed sewing, needlework and could even play the marimba. She was very creative and could make just about anything out of nothing. She liked to cook and in fact was a wonderful cook. JoAnn loved her children and grandchildren, and her life revolved around them. She was a simple woman who spent her whole life helping others find what they wanted in life by listening with her heart. She was a gracious woman as well who lived by the serenity prayer. JoAnn attended the Northeast Baptist Church . She is survived by her children, Fran James, Jim Kelsey, Jane Parker and husband, Rick, and Steve Kelsey and wife, Risa; one sister, Carrol Davis of Oilton, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Derek James and wife, Ashley, Kevin James and wife, Desiree, Sara Eeds and husband, Tyler, Abbey Gomez, Tyler Kelsey, Brian James, Dylan Miller, Kyleeann Parker, Rianna Kelsey and Cade Kelsey; great grandchildren, Shawn Gomez, Noah Gomez and Rachel Eeds. She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Amos Lee Work Jr. Casket bearers for the service will be Dale Head, Link Cotham, Kenny Kelsey, Curt Kelsey, Pat Davis and Dennis Davis, Honorary bearers will be Grady James, Skip Smith and Pat Patton. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 14, 2008 at Northeast Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City, Oklahoma under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Memorial contributions can be made to Eastman National Bank's North Branch, 5th and Prospect, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.