Joan Kingsbury

Services for Joan Kingsbury will be Friday, November 21, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Chariton at 11:00 a.m. with a lunch immediately following. A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. A burial will follow the luncheon at the Chariton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Joan requested that memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Chariton.
Joan Kingsbury had a unique gift. Within the first two minutes of meeting someone, she knew (and would remember) their full name, birthday, anniversary, address, family tree, level of education, political affiliation, preferred college team and probably their favorite dessert. She wasn't nosy. She was genuinely interested. She made everyone feel important and loved. This was her superpower.
Joan's life began in Derby, Iowa on May 22, 1930. She was born to Herbert and Lucy (Patterson) Stansbery into houseful of kids with more to come. She learned to bake at an early age and made a cake, from scratch, every day for the family dinner. This love of baking would benefit many in the future.
Joan graduated from Chariton High School in 1948 and proudly wore her red Charger shirt every Friday. On June 3, 1951, she married WWII veteran and Chicago Cubs fan Don Kingsbury. Because of this, the American Flag would always fly at their home, and a Cubs shirt was added to the rotation. Sons Bruce and Kevin came along in 1953 and 1956. She was a devoted, loving mother and was always proud to be their mom. Her grandsons, Curran and Ryan were a source of immense joy. She loved every moment they were able to spend with her.
Don and Joan also enjoyed numerous winters in Maui and established many lasting friendships. They both volunteered at the Maui Invitational golf tournament every January while there. Joan met many professional golfers who provided their autographs and willingly answered her many questions.
While her main focus was her family, Joan did work at First State Bank in Chariton as the secretary to the president of the bank. She was also an active long-time member of First Baptist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved Jesus, her family and her country, in that order.
Preceding Joan in death were her parents, her husband, Don; sons, Bruce and Kevin; and siblings Glen Stansbery, Daryl Stansbery, Clifford Stansbery, Marjorie Bingham, Gerald Stansbery, Keith Stansbery, Janet Cottrell, Audrey McKnight, Beverly Westfall, Carolyn Stansbery, Marilyn Snodgrass and Dick Stansbery.
Left to remember her are her sister Lucille Young, grandsons Curran Kingsbury and Ryan Kingsbury, great-granddaughter Skyelar Kingsbury, sister-in-law Karen Stansbery, brothers-in-law Marvin Cottrell, Don Snodgrass and daughter-in-law Melissa (Kim) and many, many nieces, nephews, and friends. To send flowers to the family of Joan, please visit our floral store.