Joyce Ann Stahl, 91, was born on November 5, 1934, in Asheville, North Carolina, and passed away on November 2, 2026. A resident of Cordova, Tennessee, Joyce will be remembered with deep respect and enduring affection for the steady grace with which she lived and the quiet strength she carried through every season of life.
Born one of six children, Joyce was the daughter of Bishop Lee Burton and Alta McKinney Burton. From her earliest years, she learned the value of family, perseverance, and care for others—qualities that would remain at the center of her life and legacy.
Before marriage, Joyce worked as a secretary, bringing diligence and reliability to her work. She later devoted herself to her home and family as a homemaker, and she also helped build the family business, offering her time and effort with a gentle steadiness. Her resilience showed not in grand declarations, but in the faithful way she met responsibilities and supported those she loved.
In December of 57, Joyce married Carl Richard Stahl. Together they built a life rooted in Catholic devotion and family. Joyce was the mother of four children: Trina Kay Brannon (Joe), Michael Lee Stahl (deceased), Thomas James Stahl (deceased), and Christopher Andrew Stahl. Her love extended warmly to her grandchildren—Matthew Marsh Luttrell, Jessica Rose Luttrell, Andrew Thomas Stahl, Patrick Brannon, and Sarah Brannon—and to her great-grandchildren, Mason Lee Stahl and Ewan Brannon-Lycan. She will be remembered as a kind-hearted and loving mother and grandmother whose presence brought comfort, whose gentleness made others feel safe, and whose devotion never wavered.
Joyce found simple joys that reflected her calm spirit: sitting outside and watching hummingbirds, going to the casino, and fishing with her husband. In these moments—unhurried, familiar, and shared—those closest to her saw the quiet fullness of a life lived with appreciation for what truly mattered.
Joyce’s practical wisdom was often captured in words that became a signature of her outlook: “It is what it is.” In that simple phrase was a reflection of her steady acceptance, her resilience, and her ability to meet life with composure and grace.
Visitation will be held at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133, on November 7, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. The Funeral Service will follow at the same location on November 7, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Graveside Service will be held at Memphis Memory Gardens, 6444 Raleigh Lagrange Road, Memphis, TN 38134, on November 7, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm.
Family requests donations to be made in Joyce's honor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
