JOYCE ANN BARNES KERNODLE, 94, of Memphis, entered hospice care in March after a long illness and left this life Tuesday evening May 7, 2024. Joyce was born in Memphis in 1929, and was a lifelong resident of the city.
Soon after graduating from Treadwell High School in 1947, Joyce went to work at the Lane-Central Company. After marrying Matthew E. Kernodle in 1952, she continued to work at Lane-Central until shortly before the birth of her first son John in 1954. Her second son Les was born in 1957, and she returned to work at Lane-Central from 1961 until 1973. She was then employed by Southwestern at Memphis / Rhodes College from 1973 until deciding to retire after the death of her husband Matt in 1984.
Joyce was an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and the Fidelis Sunday School Class. She devoted many hours to volunteer work at Aldersgate UMC and on the board of Yorkshire Gardens Condominiums.
Joyce was also known for her food hospitality. She was especially well known for her famous bran muffins, generously keeping her family and friends “well stocked” with an ample supply of them. She was an avid Jeopardy fan, and she loved to work crossword puzzles. But Joyce’s greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Joyce selflessly devoted many long hours caring for and visiting sick, dying, or elderly family members. This especially included caring for her mother Sophia, her husband Matt, her mother-in-law Julia, and her brother-in-law Joe.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Frank Leslie and Sophia Cruse Barnes; her husband of 32 years Matthew E. Kernodle; her sister and brother-in-law Lois B. and Joseph C. Eskridge; her brother and sister-in-law James Edward and Vicki Barnes; her sister-in-law Elsie Barnes Grider; her parents-in-law Paul C. Kernodle Sr. and Julia Moore Kernodle; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Paul C. Kernodle Jr. and Mary M. Kernodle; and her nephew Paul C. “Charlie” Kernodle III.
She is survived by sons John P. Kernodle (Carrie) of Franklin, Tennessee, and Les Kernodle (Ronda) of Bartlett, Tennessee; three grandsons Matt Kernodle, Max Kernodle, and Sam Kernodle, all of Memphis; a granddaughter Kelsey Kernodle Lape (Kris) of Franklin, Tennessee; great-granddaughters Katie and Lucy Lape; a niece Patsy B. Simmons (Harold) of Jacksonville, Florida; nephews Bill Kernodle and Matt Kernodle of California; and eight grand- and great grand- nephew/nieces.
A visitation for Joyce will be held Sunday May 19th, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM CDT at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue. At 2:00, there will be a funeral and celebration of life service officiated by Aldersgate Pastor Rick Pinkston. Internment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, where Joyce will be laid to rest beside her husband Matt.
It was Joyce’s wish that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Aldersgate UMC, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice.
