Joyce E. Williams

Words of Reflection

Joyce Elaine Williams was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend and loyal Kansas City Chiefs fan. She loved having fun and always tried to lighten heavy situations by injecting a beautiful sense of humor. Joyce was truly committed to her family as she was always supportive, encouraging, and modeled faith in Christ. Joyce would always say I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phillipians 4:13). She passed away at the age of 78 at the University of Kansas Medical Center on July 19, 2025. She leaves an incredible legacy that includes the fruits of the Holy Spirit; joy, peace, and love.

Joyce was born on December 21, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri to Robert and Nesne Moore. She married Harlan Oliver Williams and to that union they had one daughter Leigh Michelle Williams. They would later divorce in 1973, and she did not remarry. Joyce grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and was educated in the Kansas City Missouri School District where she attended Phyllis Wheatley Elementary, Lincoln Junior, and Lincoln Senior High School. Joyce was a majorette along with her sister Eloyce. They would often share fond memories of their high school days. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1965 and was a proud member of her high school class.

After high school, Joyce began work at Southwestern Bell as a switchboard operator. She would later work at Marion Laboratories, Yellow Freight, and Research Medical Center. While residing in Kansas City, she was a member of Cleveland Avenue Baptist Church and she later joined Zion Temple in Denver, Colorado. Joyce was also an Eastern Star. In 2001, she moved to Colorado to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter (Mikayla Leigh). In Colorado she continued to work as a receptionist at McDonald Automotive Group and later Craig Hospital. She resided in Colorado for 23 years and worked until 2023. She returned to Kansas City Missouri in 2024 as she had retired from work due to illness and she wanted to spend time with her sister Eloyce Moore. Joyce and Eloyce had a special sibling relationship where they were born on the same day exactly a year apart.

She was always there for her sisters, daughter, granddaughter, grandson and son-in-law. She made sure her daughter had a wealth of opportunities and enjoyed participating in some of her daughter’s activities. Joyce took great pleasure in traveling with her daughter, granddaughter, grandson and son-in-law. She expressed great pride in her daughter's accomplishments and always set high expectations for her. Joyce would also later set these same expectations for her granddaughter and grandson. Joyce loved spending time with her family and friends. Her love language was giving, and she liked talking to people. Joyce never seemed to meet a stranger.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Nesne Moore, her sister, Sheila L. Hobley and niece Annika Hobley.

She leaves behind to cherish her memories, honor her legacy, and relish her gifts; daughter Leigh M. Williams-Van Heck (Charles) of Aurora, Colorado, sister Eloyce J. Moore of Kansas City, MO; nephew Thomas R. Hobley (Yawana); granddaughter Mikayla Leigh Carrington, grandson, Michael Aaron Van Heck, great niece Kiana Hobley and a host of other family, friends, and colleagues.