James B. Joyce

James “Jim” Brandon Joyce departed this earth to be with the Lord on February 14, 2017 from his home in Clinton at the age of 63 after an extended illness. His unfailing faith and trust in the Lord Jesus never waned during his illness. Jim was born on October 10, 1953 in Norfolk, Virginia. He graduated from Fordyce High School in Fordyce, Arkansas. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force.

After fulfilling his patriotic duty, Jim graduated from Rhema Bible College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He served as a Worship Pastor at Cornerstone Church, and DaySpring Community Church in the Metro Jackson area. Jim lived out his faith by his involvement in prison ministry and his leadership of Celebrate Recovery for those who suffered from various addictions. He also served his community and his fellow man as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Hinds County Sheriff Department and as a Chaplain at the Jackson Police Department. Jim closed out his work career as an employee at MDOT in Jackson. He certainly leaves a void in his service to mankind and the Body of Christ.

Jim is welcomed into Heaven by his father James H. Joyce. He will be greatly missed by the love of his life, his wife of 41 years, Faith Ashcraft Joyce of Clinton. Three children; Zachary Joyce and wife Rachel of Matthews, NC, Heather Mitchell and husband Roger of Madisonville, LA, and Matt Joyce and wife Ashley of Clinton, MS also survive him. Also surviving his home going is his mother Martha Joyce of Clinton, brothers Steve and his wife Charlotte of Jacksonville, FL, Joel of Clinton, and Andy and his wife Lisa of Clinton. A sister Cheryl and her husband Art of Thorsby, AL also survive him. One of the joys of Jim’s life was his seven grandchildren, Isabelle, Madeline, and Eliana Joyce: Jacob and Ryan Mitchell; and Braxton and Hayden Joyce.

A celebration of Jim’s life will occur at DaySpring Community Church in Clinton on Friday, February 17, 2017 at noon. This celebration will be preceded by a visitation from 10:30-12:00 at the church. A private family burial will follow at a later date at Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery. Lakewood Memorial Funeral home in Jackson is in charge of the arrangements.