Jonell Kirby Cash

Jonell Kirby Cash passed away at Highland Hills Village in Watkinsville, Georgia, on March 28, 2024. Born July 9, 1929, in Franklin County, she was the last surviving child of Charlie and Almedia Hemphill. Jonell was an accomplished educator and writer. She graduated from Franklin County High School in 1947. An avid learner, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from the University of Georgia (1952), and was awarded a Masters in Education and a doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology from the University of Georgia (1964). As Jonell Hemphill Folds, she began her teaching career in public schools in Ila and Lincolnton (1958 - 1962), then at UGA (1962-64). In 1964, she moved to Augusta and established the Counseling Center at Augusta College. However, meeting Joe Earl Kirby, precipitated a move to West Virginia (1968 - 1985), where they married, and Dr. Jonell H. Kirby became a full professor at WVU. Later, both Dr Kirbys were instrumental in bringing graduate programs to southern West Virginia and developed the College of Graduate Studies at Charleston, WV., where Jonell became an associate dean for Program Development. A published author of five academic books and one self-help book in the field of psychology and counseling, she would often develop a program or write a book when there was a dearth of information or content for her students or the public. She served on editorial and advisory boards and was a consultant for workshops both in the US and overseas. Jonell remained active even in retirement as she and Joe designed and built a ‘green energy’ home on Lake Hartwell in SC in 1985. After Joe’s death in 1999, she moved to Watkinsville, GA to be near her daughter. Wanting to share her time and energy with her community, she volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). In her 70’s, her high school sweetheart, Thomas Bell Cash, came calling, and they married in 2001. This romance was the inspiration for Jonell to write her first novel, A Ring, A Dance, A Second Chance, which was published in both English and Spanish. For the next twelve years, she kept a busy schedule of travel and book signings, while creating time for family activities including her growing relationships with her new step-family. She delighted in her times with her nineteen new grandchildren. Throughout her life, she embraced learning. valued creativity, traveled widely, respected others, was a good neighbor, and enjoyed hosting others in her gracious home. She is proceeded in death by a son, George Raymer Folds, and is survived by a daughter, Sylvia Folds Knight Hays, and her son, Joe David Kirby, and grandchildren, Elizabeth Kirby, Ph.D., William A. Hays, and David Hays, MD., and her eight step-great-grand children. She is also survived by her adult step-sons, Monty Cash and Richard Cash, and adult step-daughters, Martha Cash Reubert and Melanie Cash Hill, their spouses, children and grandchildren. Jonell readily included others in her life and circle and has two honorary daughters, a niece, Brenda Bowman, and student-daughter, Paula Bickham. Aunt Jo is much loved and will be missed by her many Hemphill nieces and nephews. The funeral will be at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, Westside, 1211 Jimmie Daniel Rd, Watkinsville, GA 30677, at 11:00 a.m. Saturday April 20, 2024. A visitation with family will precede the funeral from 10:00 - 11:00. Friends and family will gather for lunch and A Celebration of Life at Southern Wesleyan University, in the Dinning Commons building, 907 Wesleyan Drive., Central, South Carolina 29630. Please RSVP JonellHFKC@gmail.com. The interment will be at 4:00 p.m. at The Old Stone Church, 101 Stone Circle, Clemson, SC 29631.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the UGA Mary Frances Early College of Education Memorial/Honors Fund in memory of Jonell. A check may be made to the “UGA Foundation” with Jonell’s name/MFECOE Memorial Fund in the memo line and mailed to the UGA Foundation, 1 Press Place, Suite 101, Athens GA 30601.  You may also donate online at https://t.uga.edu/9qF. Please put Jonell’s name in the special instructions or tribute sections.
 
Donations may also be made to Zoe Empower. https://zoeempowers.org. An organization that equips orphaned children and youth-led families with solutions to overcome extreme poverty -- for good.