Joyce Lynn Cornelius Klais

Joyce Lynn Cornelius Klais, 85, of Middleburg, Florida, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2023, surrounded by her children. She was the third child born to William and Dorothy Cornelius on March 4, 1938, in Greenville, Texas.

Joyce spent much of her young adult life in Houston, Texas, graduating from Lamar High School in 1956.  She was active in the bowling league, where she met and then married her husband of 42 years, John Jefferson Klais, on April 8, 1966.  Together they had two children, a daughter Brenda Joyce Klais Nixon of Fleming Island, Florida followed by a son, John Jefferson “Jeff” Klais Jr. (Cindy), of Round Rock, Texas.  Her love of children extended from her own children into her work as a teacher’s aide at Sutton Elementary School.

In 2003, Joyce moved to Slidell, Louisiana where she became an active member of the First Christian Church of Slidell working as treasurer, as well as other offices, the EWF, choir, Sunday school teacher and a worker for the bazars.  In 2016, she moved to Middleburg, Florida, becoming a resident of Canterfield of Clay County.  There she continued her many craft projects which can easily be found throughout not only her family’s homes, but Canterfield too.  She was the head of the Canterfield Resident Council, lead the Bells in practice and numerous concerts, and taught many to play Rummikub the “right” way.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, a sister, Connie Buchanan, and a brother William “Bill” Cornelius Jr. 

She is survived by her two children, Brenda and Jeff;  two grandchildren, Brayden Alexander Nixon (Ashley) of Keystone Heights, Florida and Savannah Joel Nixon Howard (Matt) of Jacksonville, Florida; six great-grandchildren, Madilynn Skye, Eleanor Rose, Avery Quinn, Xander Matthew, Grant Kip and soon to be born, Gracie Joyce; four sisters, Marion Bertaut of Thibodaux, Louisiana, Ellen Thomas of Slidell, Louisiana, Debbie Kimbrough of Pasadena, Texas, and Dotsy Cook of Slidell, Louisiana; one sister-in law, Robin Cornelius of Mexia, Texas; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Services will be held at Canterfield of Clay County on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 2pm with Pastor Lee of CenterPoint Baptist Church officiating.  Additional services will be held at First Chirstian Church of Slidell (date and time to be determined) followed by internment at the Biloxi National Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canterfield Resident Council attention Tawana Bizzell.