Joyce Marilyn Buskirk

Joyce Marilyn Buskirk passed into the hands of Jesus on August 23, 2025, at the age of 84. She passed at her home in Barstow, California. On August 26, 1940, she was born in Ohio to Reynold and Dorothy Briggs. She lived in Ohio and surrounding areas until she came to California in the late 1950’s. She lived in many areas like Cudahy, Bell, Bell Gardens as a single parent of six children.

In 1973 she met the man of her dreams Gene Buskirk who she married in 1974. They had a marriage of love and devotion to one another. They respected and accepted their former lives and worked hard to build their future together. They lived together in Hollydale, California, until they bought their first home in Maywood. Together, they both worked hard and sacrificed so much of themselves to raise their handicapped granddaughter Michelle. It was in this house where she met Jesus and her life got even better. Jesus helped her through the loss of her son David who she lost in a terrible accident due to a drunk driver.

In 1997, because she was diagnosed with lung disease, they packed up the whole household and moved to Barstow where they bought their second home, in which they soon realized they needed more room. She prayed, she believed, and she received that home that perfectly fit them all. She searched the churches and found her home at New Life Fellowship where she and her family were welcomed with open arms. In a few years they made a Prayer Chain and made her the contact person to cover the city and the Church Family in prayer as they needed. She was called the captain of the prayer chain, a title that she honored and took seriously. She served with love and pride in this calling.

In 2009, she lost her husband Gene to the effects of failed attempts to cure his cancer. In His faithfulness, the Lord helped her through this tragedy too. Life was different. Life was hard for her. She just walked hand in hand with Jesus as she kept walking through life suffering losses like Michelle in 2024, and many friends, family, and beloved pets.

Preceding her in death are her husband, mother, father, son, granddaughter as mentioned above, her only sister Violet, stepdaughters Kathy and Connie, Great granddaughter Michelle and many friends. Best friends Charlene and Margie

She leaves behind five children: LaDonna, Lloyd, Barbara, Kenneth and wife Soccoro and Jerry and wife Myrna. Grandchildren: David Jr. and wife Jodylynn, Robert, Norman and wife Olivia, Michael and wife CJ, Marilyn and husband Tyler, Christine, Melissa, Misty, Kevin, Amber, Brian and wife Linda, Travis, April and husband Mario, Stephanie and husband Ashton, Jessica. Great grandchildren: C.J, Samantha, Dakoda, Sullie, Trenton, Ivan, Jakob, Thomas, Jasmine, Adalay, Athena, Allison, Aiden, Odin, Adriana, Michael, Tavin, Renee, Blake, Joseph and Laurel. Her much-loved furry friend Lulu. Joyce’s best name is child of God.

She will truly be missed always.

A religious ceremony with take place at New Life Fellowship Church, 134 Main St, Barstow, CA 92311 on Thursday, September 4th, 2025, at 11am. A graveside service to follow at Mt View Cemetery, 37067 Irwin Rd, Barstow, CA 92311 Thursday, September 4th, 2025, at 12:30pm. In the meantime, condolences, support and memories of Joyce Marilyn Buskirk may be added and sent through this website.