Joyce Keele

Joyce Lola (Morrey) (Walker) Keele (84) passed away peacefully on January 9, 2015 in Payson, Utah with family at her side.



She was born May 15, 1930 in Leland, Utah, the youngest child of George Albert Morrey and Rose Matilda Davies. She attended school in Spanish Fork, Utah. On August 3, 1945, she married Vern Merrill Walker in Yuma, AZ. They lived in San Francisco and San Diego where Vern finished out his service in the US Navy, returning to Utah after WWII where they lived first in American Fork and then settled in Spanish Fork and raised their family. They divorced. She later married Larry Keele who preceded her in death.



Joyce was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who taught her posterity to live with faith and trust in The Lord Jesus Christ, with a bright hope of resurrection and eternal life surrounded by loved ones. She loved her family and encouraged them to spend time together and look after one another. She was joyful in their accomplishments and supportive in their trials, always encouraging them to look for the silver lining.



She loved to dance and sing and write poetry. She was a loyal friend. She had a deep love for country and was proud of the military service of her husbands and her son. She lived a simple life, full of sacrifice. In her last years, suffering from the effects of Parkinson's disease and Chronic Leukemia, she was a remarkable example of enduring physical trials with optimism, courage and grace.



Survivors include her four children Ernest (Shirlene) Walker, Murray, Utah; Karen (Glenn) Chapple, currently serving an LDS mission in Madrid, Spain; James (Alice) Walker, Payson, Utah and Denet (Edward) Grampp, Hanover, New Hampshire.



Surviving grandchildren: Keith (Jeni) Walker, Payson UT, Christy (Tony) Cornaby, Spanish Fork, UT, Matthew Walker, Tooele, UT, Jason (April) Walker, Lake Shore, UT, Rosalee Walker, Springville, UT, Audrey (Brent) Morrill, Lehi, UT Jeff (Melodie) Chapple, Nephi, UT, Alecia (Kevin) Peck, Robin, Idaho, Amanda (Josh) Rand, Honolulu, HI, Anne (Nate) Stephens, Logan UT, Edward (Mary) Grampp, Burbank, CA, Allison (Robert) Bourne, Hoboken, NJ, Kelli (Kyle) Brown, Bountiful, UT, Carli (Raleigh) Williams, Chicago, IL, Holly (Chance) Peterson, American Fork, UT, Summer Grampp, Hanover, NH.



40 great grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren with another due in April and 2 step great-great grandchildren.



Preceded in death by her parents and siblings, former daughter-in-law Sherrie Walker and grandchildren Adrienne Walker Satteson , John Walker and Tracy Walker and great-great grandchildren Anna Jo Chapple and Payden Stephens.



Funeral services are under the direction of Legacy Funerals in Spanish Fork and will be held on Friday January 16, 2015 at 11:00 am at the 5th Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1006 E. 200 South, Spanish Fork, Utah with visitation one hour prior to service and on Thursday evening January 15, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the same location. Burial will be in Spanish Fork City Cemetery.



The family wishes to especially thank the staff of Beehive Homes in Spanish Fork: Mike, Susan and T.J. Morgan, Jan, Pam, Jackie, Joanne, Terry, Kristin, Gaye, Charlie, Kelsey, Hali and Suzanne; as well as special friends Ron and Karen Payne of Spanish Fork, for the service and care they offered her throughout decades of loving friendship.