Joyce Johnson

With tremendous strength of character and a propensity toward hard work, Joyce M. Johnson left a significant impact on the world around her. Whether she was listening to old time country music, preparing a scrumptious meal for her family, or making the rounds at a social gathering, Joyce consistently carried herself with integrity and compassion. She cherished her family above all else and viewed each day as a special gift made just for her, embracing both the easy and hard times.

The year 1915 was a difficult one for the citizens of our nation as we were deeply involved in the throes of WWI, the “War to End all Wars.” Oscar and Dolly (Bowers) Qualls, of Heber Springs, Arkansas were able to shift their focus to their own exciting time, however, as Dolly was due to give birth to their precious baby at any time. They were indeed blessed on January 3, 1915 with the healthy birth of their daughter, Joyce. As was common for families during this time in history, Joyce had seven siblings in her family: Emmitt, William, Selmer, Gladys, Della (Tootsie), Lily, and Lorene. With so many people in her family Joyce learned early on the value of hard work during times that were financially difficult for many families in America. Joyce finished school through the seventh grade, but her life was soon to head in a new and exciting direction.

A fateful introduction to a man named Ervin Johnson was the beginning of a new life for Joyce; the two soon fell deeply in love and were married in 1931. Together the newlyweds were sharecroppers, a system of agriculture or agricultural production in which a landowner allows a tenant to use the land in return for a share of the crop produced on the land. This lifestyle required much hard work for both Ervin and Joyce who were soon blessed with six children of their own: Harvey, Dorothy, Caroline, Marilyn, Kirk, and Kenneth. Times were financially difficult for many families during the thirties as our nation was tightly held within the grip of the Great Depression and the Johnson family was no exception. Ervin was fortunate to work for the WPA, the largest and best known of the federal work relief programs established by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to combat unemployment and stimulate a national economy ravaged by the Great Depression.

Anxious to begin a new life, Joyce and Ervin relocated to the Grand Rapids, Michigan area in 1937 where Ervin found work for Reynolds Aluminum, General Motors, and later at American Seating. Joyce and Ervin continued to raise their family in Grand Rapids and they remained here until Ervin retired from American Seating, at which time they moved back to Arkansas.

As a mother, Joyce balanced strict but fair discipline with the unconditional love she provided for each of her children. She had a way of making sure that they each knew that they were cherished as individuals in their own unique way. To Joyce, teaching her children proper behavior and respect for authority was of the utmost importance. Joyce was a talented cook whose fried chicken and dumplings as well as her fried catfish found no match. The Johnson home was often the gathering place for the family for Sunday dinners, due mainly to Joyce’s skills in the kitchen. Joyce was also adept at canning and was especially gifted at making her house a home. Her home always seemed to emanate an environment that was laced with peace, tranquility, and comfort as well.

When she had leisure time, there were some things that contributed to making Joyce the unique individual that her family and friends knew and loved. She enjoyed the music of her southern heritage with the sounds of old country music including Hank Williams, Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, and many more. Joyce also enjoyed listening to southern gospel music as well. Joyce loved playing cards and bingo and you could often find her fishing, but she insisted on using the tried and true method of using a cane pole and worms. When grandchildren arrived on the scene, Joyce treasured spending time with them and the overnights at Granny's, as she was known to her grandchildren, were legendary and always filled the younger generation with delight. Joyce was very social and loved going to parties where she enjoyed the company of various others.

Joyce’s life turned in a new direction in 1990 with the death of her beloved Ervin. This left Joyce to draw strength from her family during these most difficult days. She moved back to the Grand Rapids area in 1993 where she was closer to some of her family. Family was always an important cornerstone in Joyce’s life and she always made spending time with them a priority.

Joyce Johnson was a gracious woman who wasn’t afraid of hard work and she was passionate about things that she felt were of great importance. One of the things she felt so passionate about was her family and she had a way of impacting their lives in a profound way. Joyce lived her life to its fullest each and every day and she continually carried herself with strength and great pride. Joyce spent her days making many cherished memories with her family and friends that will be forever cherished. She will be deeply missed.

Joyce M. Johnson, of Grand Rapids died on Saturday, March 7, 2009. Joyce’s family includes her children, Harvey (Rosemary) Johnson of Grand Rapids, Dorothy Balsitis, Caroline (Robert) Idziak of Fife Lake, Marilyn Hover, Kirk (Maggie) Johnson of Nashville TN, Kenneth Johnson of Traverse City; many grandchildren; great grandchildren; and great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes - Alt & Shawmut - Grand Rapids, MI, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr NW with visitation on Monday from 6-8 p.m. and on Tuesday from noon until time of service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a memory, sign the online guestbook, or make a donation to the charity of your choice.