Born September 8, 1932 in Richmond, Virginia. Joyce spent the first ten years of her life in Richmond and Ashland then relocated to San Jose, California. She went to meet her Savior, Jesus Christ on September 11, 2013. Her beloved husband, Wayne, parents and sister preceded her in death.
In September of 1949 she met AT2 Wayne Stewart of Luray, Kansas, who was in the U.S. Navy stationed at Moffett Field, California. They fell in love and were married December 30, 1951. They had two children, David Stewart of Yardley, Pennsylvania, and Betty Stewart-Rookey of Pensacola, Florida. Joy became a devoted military wife and when Wayne decided God was calling him into the ministry she supported him completely, willingly and exhaustively. Wayne reentered the Navy as a Chaplain and Joy followed him over much of the United States and part of the European Continent as a loyal faithful, and diligent wife moving 34 times in their lives. She was active in Church affairs until her health failed and even then she attended church whenever possible. She was active in community affairs and particularly in the chaplains’ wives organization and the Commands’ women’s organizations.
As a mother, Joyce was like many mothers always on the run. With the father often gone on deployments and unaccompanied overseas assignments she ensured her children were given every advantage other children had. She worked with Girl and Boy Scouts, schools, extra curricular activities, and always involved her children in Sunday School and church where she worked in many VBS, Sunday School and Women’s Missionary Groups.
Joy, as she was affectionately known, was a devoted Christian, and a woman of great prayer. She never went to bed without her devotion and prayer. She prayed for any who wanted her to and her prayer list increased constantly. She even prayed for animals. Before any undertaking she said a prayer; before any trip she said a prayer. Until illness prohibited her ability to work she was an immaculate housekeeper, excellent cook and a homemaker par excellent. She delighted in her children and grandchildren; her utmost love was always reserved for her Lord, her husband, her family and her country. In the last years of her life, Altzheimers robbed her of many memories and frustrated her in so many ways.
Joy leaves to grieve her passing: her son, David Stewart; daughter, Betty Stewart; son-in-law, Rodger Rookey; three grandsons, Cody, Kyle and Curtis Sternitzky; two granddaughters Elizabeth and Olivia Stewart; one step granddaughter Christina Rookey-Sweatman; three great grandchildren, and many friends in the several churches where she labored for the Lord.
The family will receive visitors September 17th, 5pm-7pm. Funeral services September 18th, at12:30, both of which will be held at Oak Lawn Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery at 2pm.
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