Joycelyn Yarls

Joycelyn "Joy" Yvonne Cloud Yarls received her heavenly wings on March 16, 2020 after a brief battle with liver cancer. Joycelyn was born November 7, 1942 to the late Eva and Willie Cloud, Sr. She was married to the late Tommie Lee Yarls. To that union they had five children. Joycelyn was baptized at Ray Avenue United Methodist Church.She was a member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church. Joycelyn served on several committees, planned church functions and attended several Methodist Conferences. As one of the founders of Cornerstone’s Youth Scholarship Program, she raised thousands of dollars to help support graduating seniors attend college, and often spent her own money to make sure the program was a success. You could see her on Sundays singing loud and proud in the choir. Joycelyn was educated in the Orleans Parish Public School System. She often told stories of being a smart student, and how excellent she was in Math. She worked at Bell South and retired after 34 years of service. Joycelyn traveled, and enjoyed life. She was the Past Worthy Matron in the Ester Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star St. Luke Chapter No.171. The Past Illustrious Commandress in the Platta Court No.114 and Treasurer for the New Orleans Assembly No.1 Order of Golden Circle. Joycelyn was loved by her family. She loved and spoiled her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed sharing holidays and birthdays with them, and anticipating her own. Joycelyn often shared monetary gifts and encouraged them by saying, “Pay yourself first”, meaning, don’t spend it all, save a little. She gave to several charitable organizations that supported Education, Breast Cancer Awareness, the New Orleans Food Bank, and many others. She leaves to cherish in memory her children Karen Brookin (Marzette),Tommie Yarls Jr., Patrice Yarls, and Byron Yarls, her grandchildren Bryan (BJ) Yarls (Taunya), Henry Williams Jr., Byron Bickham, Kala Brookin, Jonathan Brookin, Jana Brookin, Tommie Yarls III (Terrion), Tia Yarls, Dana Scott and Tre’von Yarls, her siblings Azzaam Abdul Rahmaan (Vera), Willie Cloud Jr. (Loyce), Wilma Cloud, Betty Ateman, Willie Mae Atkinson, Debra Cloud, and Anna Firstley. She was preceded in death by her daughter Michelle Yarls, granddaughter Janee’ Yarls, parents Willie and Eva Cloud, brothers Louis, Lenard, Bernard and Leroy Cloud, sisters Estelle Oliver and Majorie Lewis, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.A private funeral will be held at Cornerstone United Methodist Church. Arrangements by D.W Rhodes Funeral Home. To share condolences and thoughts, please go to www.rhodesfuneral.com