Joyce Kay Brown

1949–2026

Joyce Kay Brown (Funk), 77, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family after a brief illness.

Born in Saint Thomas, Pennsylvania, to Lawrence and Ruth Funk, Joyce grew up on her family’s dairy farm. She was the first member of her family to attend college, where she met the love of her life, Don Brown, during her first year at Penn State University. They married and shared 57 wonderful years together, building a life centered on faith, family, adventure, and service to others.

Joyce is survived by her devoted husband, Don; her children, Rick and Debi, and their spouses; her sister Donna and her spouse; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immeasurable joy and were the greatest blessings of her life.

For more than 30 years, Joyce enjoyed a successful career as a real estate agent. She found deep satisfaction in helping hundreds of individuals and families buy and sell homes, and many clients became lifelong friends. She genuinely cared about the people she served and treasured the relationships she built over the years.

Joyce embraced life with boundless curiosity and an adventurous spirit. She loved reading, studying history, researching her family’s ancestry, hiking, and traveling. One of the great adventures of her life was spending more than two years traveling the country in an RV with Don, exploring new places and visiting friends and family across the United States.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. As an active member of Lifehouse Church, Joyce participated in several ministries and groups. She especially loved singing and using sign language so that those who were hearing impaired could fully participate in worship. More than anything, Joyce wanted others to share the love of God that she had experienced throughout her life.

Among her proudest accomplishments were her family, the many people she helped through her real estate career, and the publication of her book, Already Loved, which shares the story of her life, her family, and her faith.

Those who knew Joyce will remember her warm smile, her positive outlook, and the joy she carried wherever she went. She had an extraordinary gift for listening and making people feel seen, valued, and loved. Even during difficult times, she chose gratitude, encouragement, and hope. Many people simply described her as “full of joy.”

Joyce taught her family lessons that will continue for generations: to cherish family and intentionally make time to be together; to practice patience, kindness, love, and forgiveness; to remain curious and never stop learning; and to truly listen to others with compassion and understanding.

Two Bible passages were especially meaningful to Joyce and reflected the way she lived her life:

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” — I John 3:1

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” — Philippians 4:8

Joyce’s legacy is one of unwavering faith, enduring love for her family, genuine kindness, and joyful optimism. She knew she was loved by God, and she spent her life making other people feel loved as well. She leaves behind a family strengthened by her example and countless friends whose lives are richer because they knew her.