To Joyce....

In the early hours of this morning a very special lady entered into the presence of her Lord. She and her husband, who died some 26 years ago, were founder members of our church. Their name is first on the membership role.

Joyce was an independent woman of strong character, determination, perseverance and dedication. She also had a great sense of humour. She gave tirelessly of her gift of administration, writing everything down on used envelopes in the good old tried and tested way. Her profession had been to teach secretarial skills at a college of further education. 

Joyce was a wonderful supporter of the London City Mission which is what it says, a mission organisation for those who need help and support living in London. For many years she arranged a speaker from there to come to our Toy Service at the beginning of December where gifts and donations were made for the children of these families and where clothes were collected for those who slept on the streets. 

Joyce also introduced the BMS (Baptist Missionary Society) birthday scheme and regularly and faithfully chivied us up, if we belonged to the scheme,  to hand in our gift envelopes on our birthdays. 

We were on the rota for the last few years to bring her to church and I always enjoyed spending a little more time with her in her beautiful home after the service, just chatting and sharing.

Others will remember her role as Junior Church leader way back, her skills at producing a pantomime, her care for her family and grandchildren. 

Joyce will be greatly missed.....She will be very happy to be with her husband and her Lord. 

This photo is one I took of some of the flowers from my dear mum's funeral, nearly eight years ago. Today it seems right to share them in memory of Joyce.