Fleda Jo Felty

Fleda Jo Thompson Felty died peacefully on March 17, 2026 at her home in Kingwood, Texas at the age of 86 years. She was born in Loyall, Kentucky and grew up in that small coal town in Eastern Kentucky. Her father was Gillis Thompson, her mother was Eva McGeorge Thompson , and she had three siblings, Jean, June and Troy, now all deceased.

Jo graduated Loyall High School in 1957 having excelled academically. She also played flute and was a majorette in the band. In her senior year, Jo received a high honor being selected as a princess of the regionally wide, mountain Laurel Festival, held annually in Pineville, Kentucky. After High School she enrolled in Berea College, Fall 1957, to pursue an art major in her most loved subject.

However, Jo's college life was cut short when she met her future husband, Kent Felty. They were married in 1959. The new couple moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where Jo worked in the UK Treasury office to finance Kent's further studies. Son Bill Kent came along in 1960. After UK, it was off to New Orleans, where Kent started a 35 year career working in the oil patch for Humble Oil and Refining Company as a geologist. A second son John Joseph and a daughter Cathy arrived in New Orleans at the Baptist Hospital. Their church home was Oak Park Baptist.

1959 saw a very large family relocation to London, England for several years and then on to Stavanger, Norway for a spell. When the time came to return back to the states, it was Louisiana again, Mandeville on Lake Pontchartrain. Jo picked up her art studies again at SE Louisiana College. It was during this time she produced a large number of paintings and sculptures. From Mandeville came other relocations, first to Edmonds, Oklahoma and finally in 1986, to Kingwood, Texas. Forest Cove Baptist/ 2nd Baptist Church was waiting. Jo served for many years as a kindergarten teacher, drawing on her art skills to produce interesting visuals for the kids.

Jo is survived by her husband of 66 years, Kent, son Bill Kent and wife Becki of Denver, Colorado, son John Joseph Kent and wife Jessica of Shreveport, Louisiana, and daughter Cathy Ceqelski of Kingwood, Texas. There are 9 grandkids scattered about, Matt, Brit, Emily, Kate, Madelyn, Ben, Cam, Danny and Kent. Also, two great grandkids, Anna and Wes. Nieces Sue and Moren and nephews Bruce with wife Cathy and Mike with wife Terri, still lives in Loyall, KY.

Jo was a loving a faithful wife, a really great mother, brave not fearful, and always full of optimism and joy. She was indeed special.