She was named Joyce because of her mother's joyful expectation for a baby girl. Joyce was true to her name by spreading a sense of joy throughout her life to everyone who crossed her path. She was known for her sense of humor as well. Joyce had so many expressions that we find ourselves repeating from time to time such as "This too shall pass." "There's just no answer to it." "Never throw your pearls before swine." "There's beauty at every stage of your life."
Joyce worked for the Shawnee Mission School District for 37 years, first as a secretary for Principal Paul Seaton at Antioch Elementary School and then as Facilities Coordinator for SMSD. She was also a member of the ABWA American Business Woman's Association. Joyce attended Village Presbyterian Church, and in her later years, at 1st Presbyterian Church, Atchison.
Joyce loved preparing wonderful meals for her family, reading, knitting, sewing and spending time with her grandchildren. Joyce and Dale, her first husband and childhood sweetheart were bitten by the travel bug which continued with her second husband, Joe. They traveled the world together fulfilling Joyce's childhood dream of travel.
Joyce was preceded in death by her second husband of 15 years, Joseph Ensminger. She was also preceded in death by her first husband of 37 years, Bert Dale Drummond.
Joyce spent the last four years of her life in the care of Assisted Living at Vintage Park of Atchison. The dear friendships she developed while living at Vintage Park and her 1st Presbyterian Church family provided much love and comfort. She spent the last two years being cared for by St. Croix Hospice. The family offers their greatest gratitude for the consummate care and love they all provided for her.
The love of Joyce's life was without question her family, her precious four legged companions, especially her beloved rescue dog Bailey. She demonstrated that love in many selfless ways but mostly Joyce provided her children with Godly wisdom and a beautiful example of a life well-lived, truly a life of love in action. She will continue to be a part of each of our lives. The following bible verse seems to exemplify her life…
1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
Joyce is survived by her son Larry Drummond (Peggy) and daughters Susan Florance (Ben) and Deborah Eplee (John). She is also survived by five grandchildren, Justin Florance, Jaimie Gathje, Brooke Eplee, Lindsay Vance and Michael Eplee, She had two great-grandchildren, Harry Eplee Reid and Julian Vance.
The family will receive friends and family from 10:00am to 11:00am on Tuesday, April 25 at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. This will be followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00am at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Mount Moriah Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church of Atchison, 302 North 5th Street, Atchison, Kansas 66002; (913) 367-2072 | http://1stpresbyterianchurchatchisonks.weebly.com/
and/or
St. Croix Hospice, 708 Oregon Street, Hiawatha, KS 66434; (785) 742-3823 | http://stcroixhospice.com/
