Joyce Lynn Cornelius Klais, 85, a former resident of Slidell, Louisiana, and a resident 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 Friday, 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.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at First Christian Church, 102 Christian Lane, Slidell LA 70458.

Visitation will begin at the church on Wednesday morning at 10:00am followed by the service at 11:00am.

Burial will be next to her husband at Biloxi National Cemetery on Wednesday at 1:30pm.

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