In 1955, she married David Harold Churchill, and together they shared 69 years of marriage until his passing on July 25, 2024. For 25 years, from 1976 to 2001, she worked as Administrative Assistant for Bowie Baptist Association. Joyce worked side by side with her Pastor/ Husband Harold in several churches in Texas. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Girls’ Auxiliary, traveled and helped with several mission trips, and enjoyed serving with the Victory City Baptist Church Food Pantry. At the time of her death she was a member of Avery First Baptist Church. Joyce loved birds, especially cardinals, hummingbirds, and red headed woodpeckers, and found joy in the simple beauty of God’s creation.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold Churchill; one son, David Ira Churchill; one brother, Herman Ray Spinks; and one sister, Erma Lee Sherman.
She is survived by one daughter, Tracie Burkhalter and her husband, Paul, of Avery, Texas; one son, Michael Churchill and his wife, Melisa, of Hooks, Texas; nine grandchildren, Tabitha Churchill, Caleb Burkhalter, Christopher Churchill and his wife, Darcey, Joel Burkhalter, Logan Churchill and his wife, Charla, Krista Churchill, Ariah Burkhalter, Cody Harman and his wife, Kathryn, and Cheyenne Harman; and seven great-grandchildren, Stetson May, Kinzlee Churchill, Kamri Churchill, Spencer Churchill, Titus Burkhalter, Isaiah Burkhalter, and Galadriel (Ellie) Burkhalter. Numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Heritage Plaza Nursing Facility and Hospice of Texarkana for caring for Joyce.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 12, 2025, at Bates Family Funeral Home in DeKalb, Texas.
Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 12, 2025, at Bates Family Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Woodman Cemetery in DeKalb, Texas.
She will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose faith and kindness touched many lives.
Online registration at www.batesfamilyfuneralhome.com.
