Joyce H. Riddle

How do you write an obituary for your mother? No one ever thinks they will be doing that. Today this became our reality---Jeff, Kenny and Janis---today our mother left this world.

Are we sad? Of course. But then we remember where and who she is with now and know that our tears are only going to last for a very short time. Our joy for her "trumps" everything.

Joyce was preceded in death by her father, mother and two brothers. To them and to all the folks in her hometown of Fisk, Mo., she was "Joycee". She always loved to hear someone call her that because she knew it was going to be someone from home.

Joyce's family grew beyond her wildest imagination. Three children, Janis, Jeff and Charlotte, Kenny and Tammy; eight grandchildren, Eric, Jonathan, Becky, Jennifer, Jordan, Tara, Daniel and Ethan; 10 great-grandchildren, Bianca, Solie, Arie, Dolly, Wayne, Kylee, RaeAnn, Noah, Faith and Liam.

Joyce had three loves in her life- -- Jesus, family and friends.

On Oct. 7, 2014, Joyce will be celebrating her 82nd birthday with her first love, Jesus, in her amazing new home.

Graveside services were conducted on Monday, Sept. 22, 2014, at 11 a.m. in the Puxico Cemetery in Puxico.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.

Paid