Joyce Marie Kirkwood's Obituary
Joyce Marie Henry Kirkwood was born on May 7, 1942 in Bell City, Missouri. She was
the fourth child born to Mack C. and Tecora Lewis Henry. Her parents, along with six
brothers, preceded her in death.
Joyce started school at the tender age of six. She attended Old South Master, Truman
Elementary and graduated from Bell City High School in 1962. Joyce, after residing in
Freeport, New York for a year, returned home and was united in marriage to Robert
Kirkwood, Jr. They lived in Sikeston and Vanduser, Missouri, where they began a
family. Soon after, they decided to make St. Louis their permanent home. To this
union of fifty-five years, they raised four children: Teresa Ann, Robert III, Shawn
Courtney and Raymond Lamont, who preceded her in death.
Joyce confessed a hope in Christ and was baptized in 1959 under the leadership of
the late Reverend C.H. Thames, who was the Pastor of Pilgrim Rest #2 Missionary
Baptist Church in Bell City, Missouri. Joyce was faithful to the church and always put
God, first. Being raised in a “God-fearing Home”, Joyce learned many important
“Christian principles”, that guided her throughout her life span. Upon moving to St.
Louis, Missouri, Joyce united with New Emmanuel in 1969 under the leadership of the
late Pastor C.H. Thames. Over the years, she also served under the late Jeremiah
Macon, Pastor Robert Barney and currently Pastor Antoian T. Johnson. She was a very
faithful member until her health began to fail. She attended and taught Sunday school
for many years. She served as the Church Secretary for over 25 years. She also sang
in the Choir. Joyce truly loved the Lord and is resting with Him now. She always stated,
“Absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord.”
Joyce loved to travel. She believed in exposure. She often said “you need to see some
things with your own eyes”. Robert and she would pack up their children and drive
many places. They loved to travel.
Joyce leaves a rich legacy and will be missed by many. On November 8, 2018, God
dispatched His Angel to bring Joyce home. She leaves to cherish her memories: her
devoted and loving husband ~ Robert Kirkwood, Jr.; one daughter ~ Teresa Ann
Pearson (Reginald) of Alton, Illinois; two sons ~ Robert III (Nicole) of Atlanta, Georgia
and Shawn Courtney (Yolanda) of Kansas City, Missouri; four grandchildren ~ MarKell,
Harlym, Harper and Hariah Kirkwood; eight step-grandchildren ~ Kevin and Koty
Jones, Latereka Pearson-White, Andria Randol, Helois Foster, Nikki Pearson, Cameo
Foster and Shaliece Pearson; six siblings ~ Barbara Stephenson (Carl), Shirley
Williams of St. Louis, Ethel Powell (Charles), Odell (Marilyn) of Jefferson City, Missouri,
Carolyn Carter (Donnie) of Houston, Texas and Everlyn Rader (Howard) of Springfield,
Missouri; five brothers-in-law ~ ML (Betty) Kirkwood, Miles (Maggie) Kirkwood, Arthur
Kirkwood, Richard Willis of St. Louis and Jerry (Janet) Kirkwood of Dallas Fort Worth,
Texas; three sisters-in-law ~ Edna Kilgore and Liz (Carl) King of St. Louis, Missouri and
Maggie Lee Robinson (Leroy) of Springfield, Missouri; and a host of nieces, nephews
and other relatives and many friends that she loved and cherished.
What’s your fondest memory of Joyce?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joyce?
Share a story where Joyce's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joyce you’ll never forget.
How did Joyce make you smile?
