It is with profound sadness that the family of Joyce Highfill announces her passing on February 25, 2021, after a full and blessed life lived for the glory of God. Joyce will be lovingly remembered by her children Amy (Tim), Randy (Laura), and Tom (Katie). She will also be fondly remembered by her nine grandchildren: Jesse, John David (Kayla), Jordan (Houston), Christian, Lauren, Jackson, Tilly, Sierra, and Avery; by her brother, Larry Wood (Gigi) and by a number of other family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Wilbur Highfill and by her parents Ben and Norma Wood.
Joyce was born in Big Piney, MO, near Fort Leonard Wood on Dec 31, 1942. Her childhood was relaxed and filled with friends, music and animals on her grandparents’ farm near Upton, MO. Her dad always stressed a good education, and her mom’s kindness and strong work ethic were qualities that were passed on. After a short stint as a business major at SMSU, she became an education major and never looked back. Joyce spent 24 years of her life as an educator, starting out in early childhood education and ending up teaching 4th and 5th graders at Fair Grove. She retired in May of 2001 at the age of 58. After this time she continued to teach her grandchildren many valuable life lessons and paid for many of their lessons for music, dance and horse-back riding. She also taught Sunday School and Good News Clubs.
Joyce and Wilbur both graduated from Fair Grove High School where they met and started dating. On December 15, 1962, they were joined in marriage at the First Baptist Church of Fair Grove. Their early married years were spent in an apartment near SMSU and later in a small house on the north side of Springfield. After residing in Marshfield for awhile, they built a home in the country in Fair Grove where they continued raising their three children- Amy, Randy and Tom. Joyce placed a high value on reading and music, instilling these qualities in her children and grandchildren. In the last decade of her life, she and Wilbur traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, Yellowstone National Park, Maine, and Tennessee, as well as to Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida and South Carolina to visit their children. A visit to the Netherlands with her sisters-in-law was a highlight. She also was active in a book club, Sunshine Club, Fair Grove Senior Center as well as Mt Comfort Bible Church. Her faith was placed in Jesus Christ for salvation as a young girl, and she enjoyed taking Pastor Dykes’ theology classes as well as discussing the Bible with her grandchildren. Perhaps her favorite show of all was Jeopardy, which she faithfully watched at 5:00 pm every day. Joyce was a generous, joyful, determined person who still read, wrote letters and cards and took care of her personal finances from her chair to the last day of her life, despite an illness (RA) which was with her for most of her adult life. Her faith in Christ was the bedrock of her life.
A funeral service in memory of Joyce will be held on Monday, March 1, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home North with Reverend Tom Dykes officiating. Internment will follow at the family plot at Mt Comfort Bible Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either the Fair Grove Senior Center, PO Box 41, Fair Grove, MO 65648 or to J.W. Korell with ReachGlobal: If you are writing a check, please make it payable to EFCA and write “IMA # 2206 – Korell” on the memo line. Mail checks to: EFCA, 901 East 78th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55420.