Belinda Joseph

Belinda Carol Easton Joseph was born on February 10, 1953 to Arlon and Beulah Easton in Nevada, Missouri. She lived in Stockton and Nevada throughout her childhood years. She attended Franklin Elementary and Nevada Jr./Sr. High School where she remained close friends with many classmates. She attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri and graduated in 1975 with a B.S. in Elementary Education.

Belinda started her teaching career in the Normandy School District and later Boulder Valley School District. She then had an opportunity to work for Ozark Airlines as a flight attendant in 1979. She continued to fly through the TWA merger and for almost 10 years. During this time she married Patrick Shawn Joseph who was also working for Ozark/TWA and they lived in the Spanish Lake area where they started their family. After two children, Belinda went to work for the Hazelwood School District where she taught kindergarten, third and fifth grade for 11 years. During these years, Shea was born in 1985, Jennica in 1987, and Avery in 1990. These children were the loves of her life. In 2000, Belinda left Hazelwood to accept a position in the Orchard Farm School District in their gifted education program. While at Orchard Farm, she got a Master's Degree +60 hours from Lindenwood University, was a literacy coach and reading specialist, library media specialist, and then back to gifted education K-8. She was elected Teacher of the Year and received the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. She retired from the Orchard Farm School District in 2013 when she learned of the return of her cancer.

Belinda was an active member of the St. John United Church of Christ where she served on the staff as director of three children's choirs. She also taught private piano lessons in her home for years.

Belinda is survived by her husband Shawn of the home as well as son Shea of St. Charles, daughter Jennica of Las Vegas, and daughter Avery of St. Charles. She also has many in-laws as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins all over the country. She was preceded in death by her parents Arlon and Beulah Easton and her brother Terry Easton. She also leaves her two closest lifelong friends Julie Hitchcock of Kansas City, Kansas and Nancy Cadigan of Dallas, Texas.

Belinda would like to thank her friends and relatives for their continuous love, support, and prayers during her illness. Special thanks to Discovery Elementary and Orchard Farm Elementary for their love and support.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Belinda's Memorial Celebration will be held at St. John United Church of Christ on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013. There will be a brief visitation at 1:30 PM followed by a service at 2:00 PM. There will be an extended period of time to visit with the family following the service.