Joyce Ann Huston

Joyce Ann Huston (“Lady J”) was born in St. Louis to Loyce Pickens Huston and Herman Huston Sr., one of five children and the only girl. Joyce states that her love of music began as a toddler, and she blossomed as an entertainer in elementary school where she played the drums and danced professionally as a member of the Marquette Dancers.

Her musical talents expanded once she entered secondary school. It was at Central High school that Joyce was introduced to the trumpet, became vice president of the Symphonic Band, and became first soprano in the Concert Choir. Upon graduation from Central, she attended Kansas University on a scholarship majoring in music composition and theory. She left after two years to join Albert King’s band as a trumpet player and vocalist. After a short stint, she began overseeing the horn section, culminating in the position of music director. Joyce eventually departed the King band to accept a scholarship to Howard University. There she honed her skills as a lead member of the Howard University Jazz Ensemble and performed with such notables as Lionel Hampton, Alberta Hunter, and Donald Byrd.

Joyce’s career led her to Las Vegas where she performed as “Lady J” for nearly 25 years, winning multiple awards as a jazz and blues musician and vocal stylist. She returned to St. Louis in 2013, where she integrated into the local music scene and continues to perform.

Loyce Pickens Huston

Loyce Pickens Huston (1939-2017) was born in St. Louis to Buck and Helen O’Kelly Smith Pickens, and she spent much of her childhood in Carr Square Village. There were five siblings, including her identical twin Joyce. She began her musical career singing in church and in the Vashon High School choir. She formed her own gospel group, The Crusaders, that toured with some success. Later, she became a protégé of the legendary St. Louis bandleader and music producer Chick Finney. In 1963 she recorded a Chick Finney composition, “I Want a Man Like That,” that charted locally. Loyce went on to perform with nationally known entertainers, including the Staple Singers and Eddie Hendricks.

Loyce graduated from Vashon High School and pursued higher education at Washington University, Forest Park Community College, and Harris-Stowe State College. She studied mass communication, public speaking, and social studies. She also received certification from the Manpower Alteration & Tailoring School and was a lifelong seamstress who designed and made most of her own clothing.

Loyce worked various jobs during her career, in addition to serving on many boards and committees. She served as supporter and organizer of the Dr. Martin Luther King Programs at Garfield School in Pine Lawn; produced music shows for the Fete De Normandie; and served in the capacity of Registration Deputy for the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners. She worked as an Office Administrator, Sales Representative, Assistant Manager, Census Bureau Enumerator Supervisor, St. Louis Housing Authority-Relocation Field Operator, Site Supervisor for the summer outdoor recreation program for the North County Y.M.C.A., and at Vashon High School as Research Communications Assistant with the St. Louis Public School Teaching & Learning Support Unit. Her last office job was as a front desk receptionist and database editor with the Urban League. Loyce also held positions as a journalist, marketer, and advertising editor with the Argus Entertainment Newspaper, St. Louis American, News Network magazine, and other St. Louis weekly periodicals.

Loyce met her husband, Herman Huston, Sr. in St. Louis, although they eventually divorced. She had five children: LaMon Pickens; Herman Huston, Jr.; Karl Pickens; Joyce Huston; and Gerry Huston.

O'Kelley family

Both Loyce and Joyce were passionate about family history and involved in O’Kelley family reunions (sometimes spelled O’Kelly). These reunions celebrated the family that descended from matriarch Ellen Johnson-Mathews-Fisher, an enslaved woman, and her three sons: Daniel Smith O’Kelley, Will Dock O’Kelley, and Charles Edward O’Kelley. Ellen’s O’Kelley sons were fathered by enslavers James Edward O’Kelley and John Beatty O’Kelley, who were brothers. Loyce’s mother, Helen O’Kelley, was the daughter of Daniel Smith O’Kelley and Rosa Ann Hillary.