Joan Pearl Kelly was born on August 19, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois. Joan was a loving, giving, caring person with a great sense of humor. Joan was known for her generosity, intelligence, and beauty. She was devoted to her family and friends. Her love for them was palpable and she took her roles as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, grandmother, sorority sister, aunt, and godmother very seriously.

Joan had several hobbies and interests. She enjoyed singing, shopping, traveling, enjoying good food, drinking champagne, spending time with her grandchildren, laughing with friends, teaching, and giving gifts.

Joan had a passion for celebrating life's milestones and could often be found attending birthday parties, weddings, graduations, vacations, church concerts, and other special events. She loved giving gifts and was always ready to host a party, with birthdays and July 4th celebrations being her favorites. Whether hosting or attending an event, she had a way of making you feel like you were the only person in the room. Joan said that it was very important that her grandchildren remembered her. When they relocated, she was there. If there was a birthday party or graduation you could find her there introducing herself to their new friends as their Nana from Chicago!

She worshiped at St. Felicitas Catholic Church for several years. She sang in the choir and was very active in the community. It was not unusual to find Joan and the Kelly family standing outside the church after church services, graduations, first communions, choir concerts, and Christmas Eve Services laughing and connecting with family and friends.

Joan attended Beale Elementary School, Lindblom Math & Science High School, and Chicago State University. She obtained her Bachelors in Kindergarten and Primary Education, a Masters in Childhood Education, a Masters in School Supervision and Administration, and additional post Masters education. She had a passion for learning!

Joan pledged Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. while a student at Chicago State University, along with her childhood friends, Donna, Sandra, Joyce, Dell Maria, and Pamala. Clara Griffin, her best friend for 58 years, served as their Dean of Pledges.

Joan worked briefly at the Post Office and LaSalle Bank, before starting her career as an Elementary School Teacher Aide and Kindergarten/Primary Teacher. She demonstrated her dedication to education in her role as a Curriculum Coordinator, at Niños Heroes Elementary School, and as the Assistant Principal at Brown Community Academy before retiring after 34 years of service. Joan was dedicated to shaping the minds of children. She valued teaching and was committed to passing her knowledge to the next generation.

Joan passed away on March 5, 2024, at the age of 79 in Missouri City, Texas. Joan is survived by her high school sweetheart and husband of 57 years, Paul R. Kelly, Sr.; her children, Paul R. Kelly, Jr. and Eboni J. Kelly-Williams; her daughter-in-law, Crystal Kelly; her son-in-law, Hardmon Williams, III; and her grandchildren, Taylor E. Kelly, Jordan C. Kelly, Luke H. Williams, and Lauren Joan Williams. Joan is also survived by brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and a host of dear friends. She was known as Mom to her “Babies,” Mrs. Kelly to her students, Aunt Joan to her nieces and nephews, and Nana to her grandbabies.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Samuel and Pearl Smith; her parents, James and Della Smith-Taylor; and her siblings, James, Donald, Gwendolyn, and Gertrude.

We miss her terribly, but we know that we’ll see her again. We don’t say “goodbye’ but instead say what Joan did when she would often end phone calls and farewells - “Smooches”!

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