Joelda was born April 28, 1934 in Kokomo, Indiana to Elmer and Kathryn DeLo. She graduated from Lakewood High School, Lakewood, Ohio in 1952 and Kent State University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in English and Music in 1956. She earned three separate Master's Degrees from Long Beach State, San Francisco State and Arizona State University in Music and English, plus completing other post graduate work at UCLA.

Personally and educationally, Joelda left a legacy to hundreds of high school students, educating them in the fundamentals of English Literature, Creative Writing, Mythology, Music and Chorale, as well as demonstrating the art of happily living life as responsible citizens. Joelda taught for over 40 years in Ohio, Arizona and California and held a Florida Realtor's license

Since retiring from teaching and moving to Laguna Woods in 1990, Joelda was active in the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, AAUW, Aquadettes, Meals on Wheels, Square Dancers, and the Rotary Club. Joelda had an extensive musical background, as composer, director, individual soloist and Chorale singing, including The Robert Shaw and Saddleback Master Chorale and Ensembles. She was musical Director of many plays and theatre productions including most recently the Camino Playhouse.

She died September 5, 2004, following a short illness and is survived by her husband Luther, and her sister DeLane DeLo Dewey of Dallas and brother David of Elsinore Mountain.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, September 10 at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Hills at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow. The family will hold a private internment and suggests donations to the Charity of their choice in lieu of flowers.