Joan Irene McNelly
Joan Irene (Knotts) McNelly was born January 21, 1931 to Everett D. and Rebecca Knotts in Des Moines, Iowa, being the 4th of 7 daughters. Joan attended Howe Grade School and Lincoln High School in Des Moines, Iowa. Joan graduated from Roosevelt High School in Portland, Oregon in June 1948. It was at Roosevelt High School where she met her sweetheart, Bernard G. McNelly. After graduation, Joan worked as a telephone operator in downtown Portland. On April 29, 1949, the high school sweethearts, Berne & Joan, were married. Together they raised 5 children. Joan had a beautiful voice and loved to sing for the Lord. She was also a talented artist. She liked to travel, which was a good thing as she moved many times with her husband who worked for Rock Island Railroad. In 1959, the family moved back to Portland. In 1990-1991, both Berne & Joan went to Saijo & Kawanoe Shikoku Japan as missionaries teaching English and leading worship for the CMA churches. After returning from Japan, they both attended George Fox College to study the Japanese language. Joan was also a member of the Rural Homemakers Club for several years. Joan accepted Jesus as her Savior as a child and never left her faith. She raised her children in the ways of the Lord. She was an active and dedicated member of Christian Gospel Assemblies which was founded by her parents. Joan loved going to the beach retreats with her sisters and friends and the goofy times they had together. She was a prayer warrior and would pray for and encourage her friends and family and expressed the love of God to each one. She had a deep affection for others and kept each and every card she received as her treasures. On February 1, 2021, at 90 years & 11 days young, Joan Irene (Knotts) McNelly passed on to her heavenly home to be with Jesus. She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Berne; children Joe & Ako of Plains, Montana, Terry & Heidi of Newberg, Cindy & Jim Blake of Canby, Sue & Craig Hinrichs of Terrebonne, and Mark of Newberg; 11 grandchildren & many great-grandchildren; and 1 sister, Ruth Gillaspie of Newberg. She was preceded in death by her father & mother, 5 sisters and 1 grandson. She is greatly missed by all!!Obituary
Joan Irene (Knotts) McNelly was born January 21, 1931 to Everett D. and Rebecca Knotts in Des Moines, Iowa, being the 4th of 7 daughters. Joan attended Howe Grade School and Lincoln High School in Des Moines, Iowa. Joan graduated from Roosevelt High School in Portland, Oregon in June 1948. It was at Roosevelt High School where she met her sweetheart, Bernard G. McNelly. After graduation, Joan worked as a telephone operator in downtown Portland. On April 29, 1949, the high school sweethearts, Berne & Joan, were married. Together they raised 5 children. Joan had a beautiful voice and loved to sing for the Lord. She was also a talented artist. She liked to travel, which was a good thing as she moved many times with her husband who worked for Rock Island Railroad. In 1959, the family moved back to Portland. In 1990-1991, both Berne & Joan went to Saijo & Kawanoe Shikoku Japan as missionaries teaching English and leading worship for the CMA churches. After returning from Japan, they both attended George Fox College to study the Japanese language. Joan was also a member of the Rural Homemakers Club for several years. Joan accepted Jesus as her Savior as a child and never left her faith. She raised her children in the ways of the Lord. She was an active and dedicated member of Christian Gospel Assemblies which was founded by her parents. Joan loved going to the beach retreats with her sisters and friends and the goofy times they had together. She was a prayer warrior and would pray for and encourage her friends and family and expressed the love of God to each one. She had a deep affection for others and kept each and every card she received as her treasures. On February 1, 2021, at 90 years & 11 days young, Joan Irene (Knotts) McNelly passed on to her heavenly home to be with Jesus. She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Berne; children Joe & Ako of Plains, Montana, Terry & Heidi of Newberg, Cindy & Jim Blake of Canby, Sue & Craig Hinrichs of Terrebonne, and Mark of Newberg; 11 grandchildren & many great-grandchildren; and 1 sister, Ruth Gillaspie of Newberg. She was preceded in death by her father & mother, 5 sisters and 1 grandson. She is greatly missed by all!!
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