Joel Kuykendall

Canton – Joel Felix Kuykendall, 79, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2019 at his residence.

A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Elmer Merit and Willie Virginia “Bill” Bryson.  He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Norris Clark Kuykendall who died in 2007.  Joel retired from Southern Bell with 30 years of service as a construction foreman and was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church.  He enjoyed riding horses and helping people.  Joel was a United States Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carolyn Norris Kuykendall; a daughter, Cindy C. Kuykendall; two sons, J. David Kuykendall and his wife, Jenny, and Bryan C. Kuykendall and his wife, Stephanie, all of Canton; and six grandchildren; Cole, Micah, Riley, Jackson, Callie and Merit.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Donald W. Milstead and Reverend Donnie Henson officiating.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.  A private burial will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Parkinson’s Research – Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY  10163 or to a charity of one’s choice

The care of Mr. Kuykendall has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com