Joy Wilkinson

Joy “Susie” Armstrong Wilkinson, 77, Independence, MO passed away August 19th, 2012. Visitation will be 6-8 PM, Thursday at Speaks Suburban Chapel 18020 E. 39th Street, Independence, MO. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 AM, Friday at First Christian Church of Independence. Graveside services will be held in Bolivar, MO, 1:00 PM Saturday at Greenwood Cemetery. Contributions to the Memorial Fund at First Christian Church of Independence, 125 S. Pleasant Street, Independence, MO 64050 are suggested. Joy was born Nov. 11, 1934 in Bolivar, Missouri. She retired from four careers including Kmart, H&R Block, Simon Malls and Cardwell and Associates, Inc. where she worked until March of this year. She also worked at several of the local Country Music venues including the Sundowners. Joy lived up to her name and was a joy to all that knew her. No one remained a stranger for long if she had her way. She tried to go to all of Bobby Simpkins’ concerts and enjoyed her Widower’s Clubs and monthly Kmart Breakfasts. Joy also took pleasure in communicating with her multitude of friends via Facebook. She loved turning 77 years old on 11/11/11 and had a large party to celebrate with her family and friends. Her smile rarely left her face and she was famous for her jokes. She will fit in well at her new home in Heaven. Joy was baptized early in life and was, at the time of her death, an active member of First Christian Church of Independence. She sang in the choir, was in CWF and played piano in her Sunday School Class. She previously belonged to Pleasant View Christian Church and University Heights Christian Church. Joy was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Charles, her daughter Cheryl Madden, parents Paul & Ruth Armstrong and her brother Paul Dean Armstrong. She is survived by daughter Joy Rush and husband Farrel, grandsons Stephen Rush and wife Jennifer, Daniel “DJ” Rush, Michael Madden and her great-grandson, Logan Rush. She is also survived by brother, Jay Armstrong and wife Rose, and sisters, Lois Werts and Neita Campbell and husband John as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.