Betty Joyce McKelvey, age 93, of Nolensville, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, May 23, 2025.
With deep love and gratitude for a life well lived, we celebrate the life of Betty Joyce Rust McKelvey. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend who touched countless lives through her service, creativity, and unwavering faith.
Born on March 7, 1932, in Nashville, Tennessee, she attended Jere Baxter Elementary School and graduated from Isaac Litton High School in 1950. As a teen, she played the organ and sang in the choir at Monroe Street Methodist Church.
Joyce married the love of her life, Cecil Carl McKelvey, Jr., on January 12, 1951.
Together, they made the Jackson Park Church of Christ their home congregation until Carl received an invitation to become the minister of the Bordeaux Church of Christ in Nashville, TN. Their next ministry moved them to Aliceville, Alabama. After a year and a half in Alabama, they moved back to Nashville and began a ministry with the Scottsboro Church of Christ.
Soon after, Joyce and Carl received a call from the Vultee Church of Christ where they ministered for 64 years. In their retirement years, they worshipped with the Nolen Hills Church of Christ.
Joyce directed the Vultee kindergarten for 10 years, supervised the preschool department for 30 years, taught teacher training classes, and wrote preschool literature for The Gospel Advocate. She and Carl also participated in mission trips to Honduras and went on many church campaigns.
Joyce was the heart of her family and a pillar in her community, sharing her gifts in countless ways. She was a skilled cook, crafter, seamstress, a scout leader, and enjoyed camping. She also coordinated weddings, was a decorative artist, had a booth at Christmas Village for over 40 years called Precious Memories and helped found two craft shops, Gallopin’ Goose and Tennessee Treasures, in Franklin, TN
Her love for children extended beyond her own, as she and Carl fostered 18 AGAPE babies. She was a member of the National Society of Decorative Painters, and also involved in the PTO at Lipscomb High School, the Garden Club, the Home Demonstration Club and volunteered at Central State Mental Hospital.
Above all, she loved and supported her family wholeheartedly, always present, always praying, and always giving. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, and love that will endure through generations.
Preceded in death by parents, Thomas Richard Rust, Sr. and Johnnie Doris Bryant Rust; survived by husband, Ceil Carl McKelvey, Jr.; children, Shearon Sarver (Ronnie), Ginger Santiago (Roberto), Carl McKelvey, Ill; grandchildren, Shannon Brown, Deanna Howell, Ron Sarver, Rosa Meza, Anton Santiago, Benita Sanchez, Andrea McKelvey, Chris McKelvey; 26 Great-grandchildren; brother, Thomas Richard Rust, Jr. (Ellen)
Joyce’s unwavering faith, kindness, and generosity will never be forgotten. She was truly a Proverbs 31 woman, and her family rejoices that she is now in the presence of her Heavenly Father.
“Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.” – Matthew 25:23
A graveside service for Betty will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 660 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37204. Following the graveside service will be a visitation from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Nolen Hills Church of Christ, 7481 Nolensville Rd, Nolensville, TN 37135. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lipscomb University, Alive Hospice or AGAPE.
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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