Joyce Lucille Aker

Joyce was born October 8, 1928 in Modesto, CA to Walter and Margaret Epperson. She had one brother, Robert. Her early life was full of Bob’s teasing and laughter. Joyce enjoyed friends in a high school sorority and being with her family.

Bob entered the Navy during WWII and made a lifelong friend in Rufus Aker. Bob asked Joyce to accompany his girlfriend to San Francisco on a shore leave, thinking Joyce and Rufe would enjoy meeting. Joyce met Rufe, and it was love at first sight. Rufe and Joyce married in Modesto on March 7, 1948 and moved to Visalia, CA.

Joyce worked as a proofreader at the local paper until their first daughter, Susan, was born in 1951. Two more daughters were born, Gail and Carrie, to complete the family. The family moved to Arcadia, CA and Bakersfield, CA with Rufe’s company (Anderson, Clayton) and finally to Phoenix in 1965.

Joyce was a devoted mother and wife her entire life. She was an active member of the Cotton Wives Association. She loved playing any game of cards, especially bridge and poker. As a member of a ladies poker group, they met once a week for talking, playing, and having fun. Vacation time was spent in Laguna Beach and Flagstaff. She raised her daughters with a quiet voice and common sense. Her heart always belonged to Rufe and she missed him everyday since his passing in 2016.

Joyce is survived by her three daughters, Susan Klecka, Gail (Chuck) Creasman and Carrie (Kevin) Adams. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Amy (Brad) Hearn, Christopher (Kristin) Klecka, Nate (Alexandra) Adams, Kelly (Nate) Jensen, Emily Creasman, and Rebecca (Kevin) Hogan, plus 12 great-grandchildren.

We can’t thank the staff at North Central Shores assisted living enough for their tender and loving care for Mom these past months. Also, many thanks to Noble Hospice for loving care these last days.

A funeral service for Joyce will be held Friday March 21st at 11:00 AM at A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuary 710 W Bethany Home Rd Phoenix, AZ 85013 with a burial to follow at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery.