Joyce Whittaker

Joyce E. Whittaker was a rare gift to the people whose lives she touched. She was endlessly devoted to her faith and to her family as a loving mother and wife, and never hesitated to help out a friend in need.

The Roaring Twenties were a time of optimism in America, when there was much value put into to enjoying life. It was in Detroit, Michigan that Noah and Lillie (Owens) Barber made their happy home, and it would only grow happier as they welcomed their fifth child, Joyce, into the family. Joyce was born on October 31 of 1927, and would be one of six children in her family. Joyce's father was a brick layer, and Joyce learned at an early age how important it was for families to work as a team. With six children, however, one would expect a certain number of shenanigans to take place, and it was not uncommon for Joyce to be blamed for the naughty things her little sister did!

Growing into an intelligent and creative young woman, Joyce graduated from high school in Detroit. While still a student, she had met a young man named Ralph, whose brother had married Joyce's sister. The two had an instant bond, and soon were spending much time together. Ralph taught Joyce how to drive, but her first attempt took her flying right through a lilac bush! Ralph and Joyce were falling in love, and the beginnings of their life together were just starting to blossom. Although Ralph had to serve in the armed forces for some time, the couple corresponded through letters to keep their relationship strong. Soon after Ralph returned home from duty, the couple were happily married.

As newlyweds, Joyce and Ralph did everything they could to ensure that they would be able to grow into a beautiful family. Joyce began working at the local Kroger store, and was quickly promoted to head cashier. It was not unlike Joyce to excel at difficult jobs. She was a passionate and hard working woman, and would gladly do extra work to help out a friend. Ralph and Joyce liked to experience everything they could, so they spent some time in Florida together before making the final move back to Michigan.

Joyce's enthusiasm for life was unparalleled, and she could complete any task in front of her. When Ralph became part owner of a logging firm in the thumb, Joyce became the bookkeeper. In the mid seventies, Joyce began work in a tax accounting office, and after just a few years she was able to purchase the business. She had an accountant's personality, and was very meticulous with details. She kept every owners' manual for every appliance she and Ralph had, and made sure she was prepared for anything. When one of her clients lost his job, she did his taxes for free then proceeded to find him a new job. Joyce was simply reliable and very devoted to her loved ones.

Another amazing blessing to Joyce were her beautiful children. Much like her life growing up, Joyce wanted to have a big loving family. She and Ralph had five children, Diane, Dennis, Sally, Timothy, and Jeannie. As a mother, Joyce was kind and sensitive to her children's needs. She wanted very much to share her faith with them, and had each of them entering the church well before they could even walk. She was very conscious of modeling ideal family situations to her kids, and Joyce and Ralph were sure to teach them the importance of togetherness. She taught all of her children to serve others.

Church was very important to Joyce, and she taught Sunday School classes and lead the youth group. She had a very dry sense of humor, and could often be found taking care of her garden or tending to her sewing and crocheting. Being artistically inclined, she loved to work with her hands. Taking a lot of pride in her home, Joyce was known for her artistic eye with room decorating. She could listen to music for hours, made sure all of her children took some sort of music lesson and really appreciated the small things in life.

She was an amazing woman who will forever be in the hearts of her loved ones. Unfortunately, Joyce passed away on September 15, 2009. She will be so deeply missed.

Joyce was a woman so connected to faith and family that nothing else mattered to her. Her presence in our lives reminds us that everything matters, and that nothing is worth giving up on.

Joyce is survived by her five children, Diane (Dr. James) Schweigert, Dennis (Diana) Whittaker, Sally (Phillip) Perry, Timothy (Carolyn) Whittaker and Jeannie (Dr. Jonathon) Altman. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and her sister, Virginia Adams. Along with her husband, Joyce was preceded in death by her sister, Sarah Whittaker and brothers, Buford, Clarence and James Barber. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 18 at the St. Johns Church of the Nazarene at 1 PM, burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery in St. Johns, Pastor Randall Rucker will be officiating. Her family will receive friends 6-8 PM on Wednesday, 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM on Thursday and the Osgood Funeral Home 104 E. Cass St. in St. Johns. Sympathy may be expressed in the form of contributions to the St. Johns Church of the Nazarene. To participate in sharing a memory or viewing pictures of Joyce’s life please go to www.lifestorynet.com/memories/51564. Arrangements by the Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns.