Joyce Irene Pannier

Born June 11, 1956, in Nogales, Arizona, Joyce was the seventh of eight children born to Elmer Lewis Wilson and Esther Elizabeth (Erlandson) Wilson. Growing up in a large close-knit family helped shape a life that would always be centered around faith, family, work, friendship and people.

Joyce began working while still a teenager, following two of her older siblings as an employee of Sambo’s restaurant in Nogales. That job changed more than her working life—it was there that she met Charles Lester Pannier. Joyce and Charles married on December 23, 1982, at First Baptist Church in Nogales and later moved to Tucson together.

Joyce spent more than four decades working for Safeway. Customers and coworkers knew her as cheerful, friendly and always willing to help. Over so many years, many of those she first knew through work became friends. She continued working until the spring of 2026, when illness finally made it too difficult for her to continue.

Joyce loved people, and that showed in another longtime pursuit—selling Avon. She enjoyed the Avon collectibles and especially the jewelry, and anyone who knew Joyce will remember that she was seldom short of bracelets or rings. But the real attraction of Avon for Joyce was simpler: it gave her another reason to sit down, talk and visit with people.

Joyce also loved music. She learned piano as a youngster and throughout her life used that gift at church and occasionally at services held at her sister’s adult care home. Of all the music she played, Joyce especially loved the old hymns.

Her Christian faith was an important part of her life, making the words “went home to be with the Lord” especially fitting as her family remembers her.

Joyce leaves behind her two children, Charles “CE” (Antoinette) Pannier and Evelyn (Ryan) Evans-Weixeldorfer; nine grandchildren; and her siblings Ellen Stoddard, Carl Wilson, John Ed Wilson, Ruth McDaniel, Paul (Cheryl) Wilson and Della (Dave) Thomas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Lester Pannier; her parents, Elmer and Esther Wilson; and her sister, Alice Dobos.

Joyce will be remembered for her willingness to work, her friendliness, her enjoyment of people, the jewelry she loved to wear, the piano she loved to play, the old hymns she treasured, and the family and friends who were such an important part of her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 10:00am at Christ Community Church in the Tucson Oasis Auditorium. 530 S Pantano Rd (Pantano/Keyon)