Joyce Nadine Hills, 94, of Deepwater, passed away peacefully and with the grace she carried throughout her life on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Missouri, with her family by her side.
Joyce was born in Bowen, Missouri, on May 22, 1929, the daughter of Roehl and Ione (Malone) Church. When Joyce was a teenager and during World War II, she moved with her family to California for work, returning back to the Deepwater area a few years later.
Joyce married Donald “Stag” Hills on May 14, 1955, and to this union three children were born, Debra, Kenneth and Robert. Joyce was generally a homemaker until her youngest finished school, but did act as the City Collector during that time. Joyce loved to bowl and play cards. Throughout her life she did various cross-stitch, scrapbooking and craft projects. She loved to go to garage sales and antique stores. Joyce was also an avid supporter of the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. More than anything she loved visiting with family and friends, including the Saturday morning Coffee Klatch.
Joyce was a devoted servant of God and a life-long member of First Assembly of God Church in Clinton, Missouri, where she served as secretary for 22 years until she retired in 2012. She participated and led so many church activities over the years. She especially loved her time in Missionettes mentoring young women, wherein she reached the sponsorship level of Honor Star. She loved singing in the church choir, teaching Sunday school and participating in the Women’s Ministry and fellowship groups.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her step-mother, Mildred Church, son Kenneth “Kenny” Hills and her four brothers, Keith, Duane, Johnny and Gary. She is survived by her daughter, Debi Rosenthal of Deepwater, son Robert “Robbie” (Suzette) Hills of Clinton, and three grandchildren Heather (JR) Carter of Goodyear, AZ, Tiffany (Jon) Lloyd of Windsor and Tyler Journey of Calhoun; a step-brother Gene Lozaw (Karen) of Lebanon, dear friend Loretta Goldsmith, and countless other relatives and friends.
Joyce was a remarkable lady. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother who was deeply loved and will forever be missed.
Funeral services were held August 22, 2023 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton with Pastor Jerry Baughman and Brother James Cookson officiating. Special music included “Victory in Jesus, I’ll Fly Away and Amazing Grace” with Scott Brooks as organist. The casket bearers were Tyler Journey, Tom Church, Kendal Hathcock, Gary Church, Todd Millam and Scott Baughman. Jon Lloyd, Loretta Goldsmith, Gene Lozaw, Jack McClure, JR Carter, Ward Stieb, Terry Voss and Stan Duggar were honorary bearers. Interment followed in Deepwater Cemetery, Deepwater, MO.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
