Obituary

Joella Grace Conrad, 2, of Lee's Summit, Missouri passed into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Joella was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on February 25, 2011, and courageously endured her first round of treatment. She received excellent care and compassion from her doctors and nurses. The chemotherapy was effective in killing the leukemia cells but left her body without white blood cells needed to fight infection. She contracted bacterial meningitis and passed quickly after complications from the infection. She was surrounded by family who sang “Blessed Be Your Name,” held her sweet little body and let her go.

Joella was born February 4, 2009 in Blue Springs, Missouri. She was a strikingly beautiful little girl who emanated grace and joy to everyone she knew. She had a trademark smile and shoulder shrug that would melt your heart. She was a very opinionated and active child, and was always in a hurry. She rolled over at two weeks, walked at nine months, and has always been busy. Joella was her mommy’s cooking buddy and loved to be with her doing whatever she was doing. She became quite skilled at picking up toys and little pieces of trash and setting the table for her family. In her first year of life, she played the role of baby Jesus alongside her mommy and daddy as Mary and Joseph in a church Christmas drama. Joella enjoyed reading books and dancing with her mommy and daddy. She liked to sing “How Great is Our God.” She had a strong urge to climb up anything and everything without fear. For comfort she sucked her thumb and held her pink bunny blanket which she called “Ah-buh.” Now she is safe in the arms of her heavenly Abba (Daddy).

With Joella’s passing we remind others that her life was a gracious gift from God. We miss her terribly, but with every remembrance we thank God for her present reality--a perfect body without pain, sickness, sadness or sin, worshipping and enjoying Jesus as she now sees Him face to face.

Joella is survived by her loving parents, Joel and Kerry (Binkley) Conrad of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; “Brubbah” Brother Cameron Conrad (4); Paternal grandparents Jeff and Deborah Conrad of Topeka, Kansas; Paternal great-grandparents Jack and Virginia Conrad of Topeka; Maternal grandparents Jeff and Karna Binkley of Blue Springs, Missouri; Maternal great-grandparents Bob and Erma Bliss of Blue Springs; Uncle Brian Binkley of Blue Springs; Uncle Daniel and Aunt Tonya Binkley of Hope Mills, North Carolina; and Cousins Addyson and Alexis Binkley.

Joella’s memorial service will be at 10:00 am. Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Lee’s Summit Community Church, 1440 SW Jefferson St., Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64081. Visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2011 at Lee’s Summit Community Church. Burial will be in Lee’s Summit Historical Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Church, (Memo: Joella Memorial) PO Box 803, Blue Springs, MO 64013. To view Joella’s story, visit joellagrace.blogspot.com. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arr: Speaks Suburban Chapel 373-3600)