C. Joyce Johnson

A lifelong resident in the community she loved, Joyce Johnson made a significant impact in the lives of so many around her. She was kindhearted and selfless with an unwavering faith as her constant companion. Joyce viewed being a mother to be both her highest calling and her greatest blessing, however, she just may have argued that being a grandmother was her sweetest reward. Her entire life was focused on her family, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Joyce created a brilliant tapestry of memories that will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of those too numerous to count. Nestled within the vibrant decade of the Roaring Twenties was the year 1921 that was filled with great transformations that were taking us places we had never been. Short skirts were high fashion for women, dances like the jitterbug were the latest craze, and with more radio stations joining the airwaves each week the World Series was broadcast live for the first time. This same year was filled with great joy for one young couple from Cadillac, Michigan, as they celebrated the birth of their healthy baby girl on December 10th. C. Joyce was the oldest of two children born to her parents, Charles and Mae (Johnson) Payne, and she was raised in the family home in Grand Rapids and Muskegon alongside her younger sister, Phyllis. Her father supported his family through his work as a carpenter for Stickly Brothers while her mother owned an antique shop. In many ways Joyce experienced a childhood that was reflective of the times. She looked forward to camping with the families of three of her parents friends. Joyces best friend was a young girl named Hilda, and she was a student at local schools. She discovered she loved being in the kitchen at a young age, learning to cook without recipes. Joyce also took to canning right away. After graduating from Muskegon High School in the late thirties, Joyce was ready for all that life had in store for her. She was in for some new and exciting changes when she met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Donald Edward Johnson, and they were friends. After courting for a time the couple was married on June 20, 1945, deeply in love. Together they were blessed with two children, Jerry in 1946 and Judy in 1947. Joyce and Donald raised their children in Muskegon, and her heart beat to serve her family. From the moment she became a mother Joyce fully embraced the enormity of the task, and her children would say that she was the most fantastic mother, too. Throughout her life Joyces best friend was her daughter, Judy. They traveled extensively all over the United States as a family when her husband, Donald, was the mayor of Muskegon. Joyce also joined her husband at his annual Army squadron reunions. Halloween was a special time of year when Joyce was around as she always made her childrens costumes. In addition to caring for her family, Joyce kept busy with so many other things, too. She volunteered extensively with the Muskegon Eagles, and she also did office work at the post office and for the Muskegon Health Department and the license bureau. Joyce was a member of Temple United Methodist Church and steadfast in her faith. Friends continued to be a major part of her life, and many of her friends were some of her childrens friends including Jamie Cathcart, who was like a second daughter, and Paula Sepessy. Joyce also treasured the companionship of her cats, Icabod and Java. Later in life she was overjoyed to welcome grandchildren into the family, and she was a vital part of their lives as she attended every function they were a part of. Shopping with her grandchildren was another favorite activity. All who knew C. Joyce Johnson would agree that she was one of the sweetest people they have ever met. She had a warm demeanor and sparkling personality that drew others to her with ease. Joyce was the sort of person who could always be depended on in ways both great and small. With unending devotion to her family, she created a lasting legacy that the generations who follow her will be proud to carry on. Joyce will be dearly missed and warmly remembered. C. Joyce Johnson died on December 19, 2012. Joyces family includes her daughter, Judith (Thomas) McDonald of Muskegon; grandchildren, Jinda, Jeri-Ann (John), Joyce (Edward), Jill (Kristofer); great-grandchildren, David, Garrett, Devaughna, Desire, Dominique, Sierra, Kirah, Liliana, Noah, Jared, Kahlan; sister, Phyllis Larsen of Whitehall; daughter-in-law, Utis "Teal" Johnson; and a host of other family and close family friends. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Donald in 1996; and son, Jerry in 1970. Services will be held on Friday, December 28, 2012, 4:00 p.m. and visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.