Mrs. Joan Elaine Kirby

Pastor Joan Elaine Kirby was a woman of God that perseveres through many trials in her quest as an armor bearer of God. Pastor Joan was a virtuous woman whose life illuminates the walk of a virtuous woman that is filled with grace, and she will always be remembered with the highest honor. Pastor Joan’s ordained ministry was not limited to the four-walled foundation of a church, but she believed in bringing the church to the people. She conducted many community outreach programs and projects which showed people the beautiful work and love of God. Pastor Joan Elaine Kirby was born in Somerton, Jamaica in the Parish of Saint James Montego Bay on May 2, 1958. She was raised by her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Jaine Stoddart. At the age of 20, Pastor Joan migrated to America for a better life and opportunities. She promised herself that she would work hard that she can also provide the same opportunity for her sisters whom she loved dearly. Years later she was able to provide the same opportunity for her sisters and their families. Approximately when Pastor Joan was 30 years old, she moved to New York where she enrolled in a Nursing School and graduated with the highest honors as a single mother of two. Pastor Joan was also very active in her home church. She organized, initiated, and worked for many fundraisers and building funds projects. The great work and the commitment that Pastor Joan had to God and the ministry were never unnoticed. Approximately 30 years ago, Pastor Joan was ordained as a Pastor by the theologian, Dr. Dorothy Clarke. The ordination of Pastor Joan was not a stopping point in her ministry work, but she worked even harder to continue God’s mission. Through the ministry that God had ordained for her in New York, Pastor Joan opened a church in the community where she resided. She led many “All Women” marches in the streets of New York, Revivals, Gospel Concerts, and preached the word of the Gospel city-wide. Pastor Joan moved to Georgia, where she continued her ministerial work by starting a church and continuing with gospel concerts. However, she knew that God was bringing her into a new spiritual direction of the ministry. Pastor Joan witnessed the needs of many individuals in the communities of Georgia and she implemented outreach initiatives to help the communities, but God was leading her to the next level in the ministry. In 2008, Morning Glory Transitional Home Inc. was birthed after Hurricane Katrina left many families homeless. During that time, Pastor Joan was an active nurse working for the DeKalb County Board of Health; and as a solution to the growing homeless problem, Pastor Joan bought a two story-home solely to be utilized to house homeless families in DeKalb County. The home helped the transition of many families into permanent housing. Shortly after, Pastor Joan founded the nonprofit mission of Morning Glory Transitional Home Inc. that focused on the target population of single women ages 21 years of age to 65 years that are homeless or combating homeless and seeking a second chance in life. In 2014, Pastor Joan married Pastor John Kirby, a Pastor of Indian Creek New Testament Church of God. She became a member of the church in 2014 and initiated the Missionary and Outreach Dept. In 2019, Pastor Joan Kirby received her Exhorted license from the Church of God and was appointed to be the assistant Pastor of Indian Creek New Testament Church of God. In 2022, Pastor Joan Kirby received her MIP from the Church of God. Pastor Joan Elaine Kirby went to glory on June 10, 2023. Pastor Joan Elaine Kirby is survived by her husband, Pastor John Kirby, daughter: Minister Sameka J. Orekyeh, son: Dr. Matthew Ellis, grandchildren: Malachi, Victoria, Joshua, daughter in law: Ashley Crosby-Ellis, sisters: Erica Fearing-Edwards and Shirley Lawrence, brothers: JeanClaude Clive Jones and Akeem Cleve Iman-Jones, and nieces, nephews, spiritually adopted daughters, church family and friends. Pastor Joan Elaine Kirby was a woman of God that lived her life in line with the divine principles of God and she will always be remembered with the highest honor.

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Mrs. Joan Elaine Kirby

May 2, 1958 - June 10, 2023