On October 24, 2022, our Lord welcomed Joyce Faye Martin home to paradise. She left this earthly life peacefully in the company of her family.

Joyce was born in rural Mississippi on March 29, 1933. She grew up in the Ruth, MS, area and lived most of her adult life in the Felder's Campground area near Summit, MS. She met and married Billy Martin of Felder's Campground in 1949. Together, they raised their 4 children Martha Gayle, Mary Elizabeth, Billie Faye, and William David.

Joyce was a loving and devoted wife and mother and wore many hats. She was an avid reader, a talented seamstress, an accomplished gardener, a skilled hunter and fisher, and an incredible cook. She inspired her children with a love for reading, learning, and knowledge. She taught her daughters sewing, needlewotking, and cooking. She taught her son, and several nephews, hunting techniques. She fed her family, and many friends, from the fruit of her harvest. Her crab apple jelly was legendary.

Of the many hats she wore, none meant more to her than that of "Christian." She spent many hours reading her Bible, and attending church was one of the true joys of her life. She was deeply saddened when her health no longer permitted her that joy. But in her earthly death, her eternal joy is now realized, and she resides with God her Father, Jesus her Savior, and with a multitude of family and friends who made this journey before her.

She is preceded in death by her husband Billy and son David; son-in-law Joseph Von Antz, husband of Gayle Von Antz; granddaughter Stephanie McEwen, daughter of Mary McEwen and Jerry McEwen; mother Ethel King, and father- and mother-in-law Fred and Martha Martin. She is also preceded in death by most of her immediate family.

She will be deeply missed by those who survive her: children Gayle Von Antz, Mary McEwen, and Mike and Billie McVay; grandchildren Matt and Jennifer Gray, daughter of the late Joe and Gayle, Christopher and Abbey, son and daughter-in-law of Mary and Jerry McEwen, and Casey Martin, so of the late David, great grandchildren Cheyenne Gray, daughter of Matt and Jennifer; other family members; and dear friends Eugen and Geraldine Brown of which Geraldine being a sister of the heart.

The family would like to thank Hospice, special employees from Camellia Estates and McComb Nursing Homes, special nurses, and CNAs for their care at different times over the years.

In lieu of flowers or cards, the family requests that you make a donation in Joyce's name to either the American Diabetes Association or to the Red Cross Disaster-Hurricane Ian Relief Fund, or to an animal shelter near you.

A graveside service will be held Friday, October 28, 2022, at Felder United Methodist Church Cemetery beginning at 2PM with Bro. Jerry McEwen officiating and Sharkey Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.