Remembering Joyce Wilson

By Sherry Larson

People’s Defender

“Joyce loved the Lord, her family, and her country,” said Annette Glasgow of her late sister-in-law, Joyce Wilson.

Joyce Kay Wilson, beloved wife to husband Steve, her high-school sweetheart, was also a cherished mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, friend, patriot, nurse, prayer warrior, writer, and valued contributor to The People’s Defender each week, passed away on Friday, June 14, 2024.

Joyce was an ardent historian who followed her family’s genealogy and became a contributing columnist to this paper. Her son Kip Wilson talked about her love of history and said, “We took vacations every year,” chuckled and added, “We always wanted to go to a beach, but she dragged us to every battlefield and historic place.”

People describe Joyce as a perfectionist. Kip said that his mother even ironed their sheets. He laughed, talking about the creases she pressed in his white tee shirts when he was young and how a former boss looked at him and said, “You have a good momma.” Kip added, “Nobody cleaned like my Mom,” commenting that she would stay awake nights cleaning rooms before a party that no guest would ever see.

God was the center of Joyce’s life. She attended Church 180 and was a dedicated member of Aglow International, serving as their South-Central Chapter’s President for the past ten years.

Joyce was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) a little over a year ago. “She was a great encourager,” said Glasgow, whose family wrote that they were comforted that Joyce was living free from pain and worshipping God for all eternity. The family said Joyce made it clear what she desired engraved on her tombstone:

“Remember me as you pass by

As you are now, so once was I

As I am now, so you must be

Prepare for death and follow me.”

Ever the uncompromising worker, Joyce prepared articles for The People’s Defender for weeks ahead so readers could continue learning history through Joyce’s words.

Glasgow said, “Joyce loved people and wanted to see them happy. She wanted them to walk out their destiny.” Kip honored his mother and said, “Mom was just great! If I had to pick out the perfect mom, that was her!”