Joyce Wilson

Joyce Yvonne Wilson, born November 11, 1934, gracefully and peacefully left this world on May 20, 2024, supported by her loving family at her bedside. She is preceded in death by her parents, Rodney and Viola Kirby and Donald Scott, and her brother, Donald Scott, along with two sons, Michael Gilbert Wilson and Albert Gene Wilson. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Valerie and Stephen Rausch, and Vickie and Ron Kussin along with 9 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 3.5 great-great grandchildren. Joyce’s greatest passion was her family but she also loved the quiet stillness of sitting on a rock on a river, fishing for hours.

Joyce raised three children as a single parent working as a waitress for the first 20 years of her adult life. She retired as a medical office manager. She demonstrated an unwavering tenacity to keep her family together in some very difficult financial times. Her perseverance and tenacity earned her enduring love and loyalty from her children. There was no sacrifice too great to secure the happiness of her loved ones and she was a fierce advocate when it seemed the chips were down and a loved one needed an extra dose of support. She was unwavering in her loyalty balking at any unkind words or discontent against anyone she considered family or friend. Truth is once a friend, a person became family for life. She had a heart for those who suffered as she had a deep capacity for empathy and compassion. No stranger to suffering herself, she walked with deep humility while also witnessing with a keen eye the presence of manipulation and deception for which she had a zero tolerance policy. Even though no stranger to hardship, she was always ready to kick up her heels and enjoy a night of dancing and socializing with her dearest friends for life, Katy and Jan. Oh the stories they told… Her kindness and joy of living shined a bright light of love on those who loved her and even those who never met her. For example, walking into a nail salon on her walker, she smiled at the ladies in their respective pedicure chairs, and joyfully exclaimed, “How are you ladies this beautiful day”. The room was full of giggles of delight as the ladies responded back to her proclamation of joy. This was Joyce.

Raised in the Assembly of God church, Joyce grew in her faith often quoting to loved ones her favorite bible verse, Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”. She learned to embrace her suffering as the source drawing her closer to her Lord and Savior. In a particularly difficult period of pain and suffering, she cried out “Lord you suffered much greater than this for me, so with your mercy I will endure this suffering for you”. And so it was ….

Whenever any of us left the house whether just to go to the store or on a long journey, she would proclaim: “Travel Mercy”. So consistent was she with this proclamation that her young 3 year old great-grandson, Logan, often said the same thing to her when she left after visiting him. So our wish for you our loving mama, gram, Auntie and friend, as you transition to this new beginning of life renewed… Travel Mercy!

A funeral service for Joyce will be held Thursday, June 6, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Rose Hills Memorial Park - Memorial Chapel, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601.

Joyce will be laid to rest in Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601; Willow Lawn; Gate: 1, Section: 13, Lot: 12608, Grave: 4.