Nina Joan Calvert

Nina Joan (Phipps) Calvert 

Joan Calvert passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025, surrounded by her family at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, MO. She was 93 years old.

Joan was born on October 10, 1932, to William and Nina Phipps in rural Barton County, MO. She was the eldest of five children. Joan graduated salutatorian from Lamar High School in 1950. In 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, David Carl Calvert, at Oakton United Methodist Church near Lamar, MO. She then joined David in Alaska as he served with the United States Army. After a year and a half, they returned to Columbia, MO, where Joan worked while David completed an engineering degree. Next David began a 37-year career with the Missouri Department of Transportation, which took them to Columbia, Fulton, Jefferson City, and Independence, MO. Together they raised three sons and loved watching their family grow over the years.

Joan lived a life full of faith and trust in God. She was a loving wife, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a longtime member of Sycamore Hills Baptist Church in Independence. She had a calm, caring presence, and she will be remembered as an inspiring example of what it means to live a faithful, steadfast life.

Joan is survived by her sons, Bob (Carla) Calvert of Wichita, KS; Jim (Debbie) Calvert of Olathe, KS; Larry (Karen) Calvert of Blue Springs, MO; her sister-in-law Barbara Phipps of Lamar, MO; her brother Gary (Dorothy) Phipps of Lamar, MO; her brother Don (Ava) Phipps of El Dorado Springs, MO; her brother-in-law Ray (Sherry) Irwin of Springfield, MO; and eight grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, all beloved.

Preceded in death by her parents, William and Nina Phipps; her sister, Connie Phipps Irwin; her husband, David Calvert; and her brother William Phipps, Jr.

A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Lake Cemetery in Lamar, MO. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Sycamore Hills Baptist Church in Independence, MO.

In memory of Joan, donations may be made to Sycamore Hills Baptist Church, 15200 East 39th St., Independence, MO 64055

Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers: Curtis Calvert, Drew Calvert, Sam Calvert, Thomas Calvert, Cameron Calvert, Isaac Bari, Blake Mason, Brock Phipps, Bert Phipps, Josh Phipps, Tim Phipps, Dane Shoff.