Celeste P. Jolly

Mrs. Celeste P. 'Fowler' Jolly passed away late Sunday morning, Sept. 20, 2009, at the Delmar Gardens on the Green in Chesterfield, Missouri, at the age of 92 years, 2 months & 16 days. Celeste was born on July 4, 1917, in Supply, Arkansas, and was the daughter of Thomas Rex Fowler, Sr., & Bess 'Cunningham' Fowler. Also preceding-in-death were her husband, Rev. Joseph Loren Jolly; a daughter, Paula Jolly Reynolds; a sister, Eileen Fowler Spencer; a brother, Thomas Rex Fowler; 2 babies (at birth), and son-in-law, James Reynolds.

Celeste graduated from high school in Doniphan, MO., in 1935 and from the Kansas School of Nursing in 1938. She married Joseph Loren Jolly on Christmas Day, 1938, at the historic Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Pitman, AR and was the wife of a Baptist minister for more than 60 years until Loren died on April 13, 1999.

Beginning in the fall of 1939, Celeste served as Seminary Nurse during Loren's three years at The Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. Their first church was Riverside Baptist at Cox Creek, KY. This was very special for Celeste because her grandfather, Rev. O. H. L. Cunningham, had been pastor there many years before. After World War II, Loren was pastor at Hanley Road Baptist Church in Clayton, MO., for 8 years until 1954, before accepting the pastorate at First Baptist Church of Farmington, MO. Celeste's grandfather, O.H.L. Cunningham had also been pastor at the Farmington church and was there at the time of the dedication of the old sanctuary in 1917. Celeste was present at the dedication as a 2-month old.

Celeste helped with the quarterly visits of the Red Cross Bloodmobile in Farmington for 30 years and for several years she was camp nurse for girls week at Bates Creek Camp. She served her Lord as a vital part of His church by singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and dispensing wise counsel when asked.

Survivors Include: 1 Son, James Loren (& Linda) Jolly, of Chesterfield, MO. 1 Brother: C.C. (& Charlene) Fowler, of Sun City Center, FL; 2 Sisters-In-Law: Helen E. Fowler (wife of deceased brother, Thomas R. Fowler) and Norma Jolly (wife of deceased brother-in-law, Bryce Jolly). 2 Brothers-In-Law: Ernest Gutierrez (husband of deceased sister-in-law, Martan Jolly Gutierrez) and Jack Spencer (husband of deceased sister, Eileen Fowler Spencer). 5 Grandchildren: Chad (& Kristen) Jolly, of Liberty, MO. Dana Jolly Seiber (& Ronnie) of Tampa, FL; Teresa Reynolds, of St. Louis; Lauren Reynolds, of St. Louis & Katy Reynolds, of St. Louis. 7 Great-Grandchildren: Ashley Reynolds; Daniel Reynolds; Tevin Reynolds; Noah Jolly; Elias Jolly; Avery Jolly & Jake Seiber. Also surviving are 14 Nieces & Nephews.

Visitation Starts : Saturday, Sept. 26th @ 9:30 a.m. at Farmington First Baptist Church

Funeral : Saturday, Sept. 26th @ 11:00 a.m.

at : Farmington First Baptist Church, with Dr. William C. Miller and Dr. Chad Jolly officiating.

Memorials may be made to : Farmington First Baptist Church.