Joyce Y. Mader
Joyce Y. Mader, 61, of Rogers, Ark., died March 1, 2015, at Mercy Hospital. She was born July 23, 1953, to Jackie Wayne Kelly and Imogene Smith Kelly.
She was a graduate of Rogers High School and St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis, Tenn. She was a Registered Nurse and employed by Alliance Home Health. She was a member of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Bentonville. She also was an active member of The National Society of the Daughters of American Revolution, Arkansas Palomino Exhibitors Association, American Quarter Horse Association, Palomino Horse Breeders Association and others.
She had many gifts including that of soft hands which she used in service to her family, her patients and all she met. With her soft hands she accomplished many things that included being the 1970 Queen of the Rodeo of the Ozarks. She was an avid horsewoman, who performed in the arena with many champion horses. Some of her performing partners included “Times A Wastin” (Bimbo), “Hez Kinda Gold” (Whiz) and “Mark Me Again” (Winnie).
She was preceded in death by her mother, Imogene Kelly; her brother, Randy Kelly; her grandparents, Beatrice Smith, William Kelly and Virginia Kelly Wylie.
Survivors include her husband Robert L. (Bob) Mader Jr., of the home, whom she married July 15, 1978, at St Louis Catholic Church in Memphis, Tenn.; children, Patience Pierce and husband Chris of Felton, Dela., Bethany Mader of Rogers and Anthony Mader and companion Dawn Duckworth of Rogers; three grandchildren, Alyssa, Kelsey and Kaitlyn Pierce. She is also survived by her father and stepmother, Jackie Wayne Kelly and Irene Kelly of Pea Ridge; nieces, Shanna Kelly and Megan Kelly; sister-in-law, Jeanne Kelly; father- and mother-in-law, Robert and Marge Mader of Cordova, Tenn.; sisterin-law, Kathleen Cates and husband Greg of Cordova Tenn.; brother-in-law, Donald Mader and wife Edye of Germantown Tenn., brother- in-law, John Mader and companion Kay Petranek of Orlando Fla.; niece, Kristy Robertson and husband Rob, and their son Bennett of Memphis, Tenn., and nephew Andrew Mader of Germantown, Tenn.
Funeral mass was at 9:30 Friday, March 6, 2015, at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Bentonville with Rev. Msgr. Scott Marczuk, J.C.L, officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Susan G. Komen Foundation, www. komen.org or Hope Cancer Resources, www.hopecancerresources.org.
Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.