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Joann Gregory 84, of Drexel, Missouri passed Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at her home in Drexel. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Monday, February 27, 2023 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (816-657-4400). Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am Monday also at the chapel.
Burial will be in Sharon Cemetery, Drexel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Drexel Public Schools Foundation. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.
It is with great sorrow and gratitude, the Lee, Gregory, and Pelton families announce the passing of our kind, funny, caring, and unimaginably generous wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Joann Pelton Lee Gregory.
Joann was born on January 16, 1939 to Albert and Ethel (Louise) Pelton in Galesburg, Illinois. She was the oldest of five children and was born at home, while her twin sister, Jeanette, waited to arrive at the hospital.
As a child she grew up in the Drexel Community, graduated from Drexel High School, and her roots would keep that community near and dear to her heart throughout her life.
After graduation Joann worked in Kansas City as a Harvey Girl. She married Lewis Lee and to this union 4 children. Debra, Mark, and like Joann, twins, Rickey and Randy Lee were born. This union would end in divorce.
Joann would go on to marry the love of her life, Kellis Gregory on July 18, 1986, This marriage gifted Joann with Kellis's three children, Marty, Kelly, and Connie. Joann and Kellis very successfully blended two families.
As family was very important to both, there was always some type of family gathering and Joann was famous for her easter baskets, Christmas stockings, pumpkin bread, homemade rolls, cakes, and pies.
She loved to sew, crafts, flowers in her yard, fishing, the lake, visiting with family and friends, and cooking. She had many jobs over the years, many involved cooking. One of her last jobs was working at her daughter's convenience store (Texaco station), for 9 years, near LaCygne, that allowed her to reconnect with many old friends and create many new friendships.
Many memories were made, and experiences occurred, such as the baby born at pump 6 in September of 2000, the drug bust with guns pulled in the back lot, meeting Gary Lezak, and other celebrities, and the morning coffee drinkers. To say that her family and friends will miss her greatly is an understatement.
She was preceded in death by her father Albert, mother Louise, brother Ivan, brother Butch, niece Dianna, great grandson Mason Gregory.
Survivors include husband Kellis, daughter Debbie (Jr) May, sons Mark Lee, Randy Lee Rickey (Sandy) Lee, Marty (Jami) Gregory, Kelly (Jeff) Sims, Connie (Steve) Koken, seventeen grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews, sisters Caroline Showalter, and Jeanette Bartles.
