Joyce Lee Hughes Merkel Chambless

She was preceded in death by her father Woodson Allen hughes, her mother Lotta Mae Nixon Hughes and 7 of her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her sister Joan Hughes Black, her daughter Mary M. Asherbranner (Roger) and her two sons, Charles R. Merkel (Debbie) and Doug Merkel (Robin). Her grandchildren; Leon Asherbranner (Stephanie), Ayesha Rochester (Mike), Drew Merkel (Kare), Eric Merkel (Sarah), Amanda Einhorn (Will), Chase Merkel (Allexus), Ben Merkel, McKenzie Merkel and several, precious great grandchildren.

She was born and raised in Sylacauga, Alabama where she attended and graduated from B.B. Comer in 1952. She was a woman of faith who cared for her family and friends her entire life. She graduated from Sylacauga Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1964, and continued her education at the University of Alabama in Birmingham to complete a BSN and a Master's Degree in healthcare Administration. She was an instructor at the Sylacauga Hospital School of Nursing for years. One of her students stated that she was truly one of a kind. She was compassionate, intelligent and deeply devoted to nursing. She was the Director of the Sylacauga Nursing Home for nine years before she retired.

She was passionate about her family, especially her grandchildren, great grandchildren and her faith. She and her brothers and sisters revived Weogufka 1st Baptist Church and focused on the children especially VBS and missions.

She will be missed greatly by her family and friends, but they are pleased to know that she now has reached her heavenly home.

The family will be receiving flowers or in lieu of flowers, please donate to:

The Betty Grier Gallaher Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Coosa Valley Foundation c/o Coosa Valley Medical Center, 315 W Hickory St., Sylacauga, AL 36535 or Weogufka First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 161, Weogufka, AL 35183.

Visitation will be held at Curtis and Son Funeral Home, North Chapel, 1315 Talladega Hwy, Sylacauga, Alabama 35150, on October 31, 2026, from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm.

Funeral services will follow at Curtis and Son Funeral Home, North Chapel, 1315 Talladega Hwy, Sylacauga, Alabama 35150, on October 31, 2026, beginning at 2:00 pm.

Joyce will be laid to rest at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, 1501 Talladega Highway, Sylacauga.