Joyce Lucille Woodard Griffin of Fort Smith, Arkansas (formerly of Waldron, Arkansas) went to be with her Lord and Savior, Sunday, May 3, 2020, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Joyce was born May 25, 1932, in Leachville, Arkansas to James Griffin and Alice (Mobbs) Griffin. She was 87 years old and would have turned 88 years young in 22 days.
Joyce leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband Harold L. Griffin of the home, three daughters: Brenda Patton (Ray) of Booneville, Arkansas, Janet Owens (Reggie) of Waldron, Arkansas and Pam Woodard of Fort Smith, Arkansas and two sons: Mike Woodard (Debbie) of Van Buren, Arkansas and Jamie Woodard (Glenda) of Waldron, Arkansas. Joyce will forever be remembered by one sister, Frieda Kniebes of Shelby, North Carolina as well as her eleven grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. Joyce is also survived by her family in love, Randall Griffin (Teresa) of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Piper Salley (Gene) of Branson, Missouri, David Griffin (Bonnie) of Bethel Heights, Arkansas, Darell Griffin (Becky) of Jenny Lind, Arkansas and nine step grandchildren and nine step great grandchildren. Joyce will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and neighbors.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband of 49 years to Eston Theo Woodard, and her brother and sisters; Jake Griffin, Bobbie Johnson, James Griffin, Bill Griffin, Fay Griffin, and Polly Padgett.
Joyce’s celebration of life will be Wednesday, May 6, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas, with Rev. Jerry Grimes officiating, Interment will follow in the Square Rock Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Ray Patton singing, Pam Woodard reading of a poem.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Michael Allen Woodard, Shawn Woodard, Martin Patton, Byron Owens, T.J. Bailey, Derek Owens and John Patton.
Joyce Woodard Griffin accepted Christ at a later age in life. She was a stay at home mom for her five kids and many others until moving from Michigan to Arkansas, There she became employed at The Waldron Furniture Factory as a button maker, and then her and her husband (Eston Wooodard) became chicken growers for Tyson.
She was joined in holy matrimony on September 16, 1949, to Eston Theo Woodard for 49 years, until he passed away on April 23, 1999. They had five children. Her children can attest to the fact that she had “no patience” and “was a very stubborn woman”.; however, she loved her family very much. She was also worrying about her kids and grand kids whom she encouraged, and was so very proud of.
She enjoyed the farm life, always listening to Woody, Jamie, and Ray sing, and following the band “Woody and the Rounders” around and visiting with all the fans. She was an amazing cook and seamstress, she loved company and to talk about good times. Her favorite thing in life were sweets!! She loved it when it was her birthday, Mother’s Day, Christmas, Easter, any holiday or anyone’s birthday, because she always knew there would be sweets! and family!
She fought many battles in life, cancer, losing the love of her life, diabetes, losing brothers and sisters, dementia, and much more. She was a fighter, a woman of great strength. That is one thing that we all admire and learned from her was to be a fighter in life no matter what. TO BE STRONG!! She was strong until the end. She fought alone in ICU for 2 weeks, once moved to hospice, her husband, kids and a grand daughter were able to visit her, she was ready to receive her angel wings and go home to heaven. She is still watching over us and will be missed forever.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
Words cannot express how much we thank you for the expressions of sympathy, and all the help you have provided us during our moment of sorrow. We are truly grateful for your friendships and support.
During these trying and difficult times, we must limit public gatherings to 10 persons in our funeral home and do our part to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Family and friends are welcome to attend the service but must remain in their vehicles. Joyce’s life celebration will be live streamed on the link by Services on her webpage and the graveside service can be heard from the comfort of your vehicle at radio station 87.9 FM.
