Joyce Elaine Bryan

Joyce was born to parents Delbert Otis Sanderson and Opal Irene Evans Sanderson on August 13, 1927, in St. Louis, MO. She grew up the youngest of four siblings and attended Hancock High School. In 1949 she married Ernest William Bryan. In 1951, they moved to Miami, FL and settled in North Miami Beach where they made their family home for 29 years until they retired to Tamarac, FL in 1983.

Joyce was a stay at home mom and worked part-time in the school cafeteria. She embarked on a full-time career at Southland Corporation a/k/a Velda Farms Dairies in the accounting office where she worked her way up to Comptroller. She worked there diligently from October 1, 1966 until her retirement in January of 1986. Her husband Ernie suffered a debilitating stroke later that same year and Joyce became his devoted caregiver until his death in 2001 and she carried on that devotion by remaining a widow until her death 14 years later.

Joyce was a faithful wife, loving mother and strongly committed to her belief in Christ. During her lifetime she visited Rome, Italy with her sister Sandy, and traveled to the Holy Land with her daughter Maureen. She was loved by all who knew her and had many friends. She had a humble and servant heart volunteering many hours to the church thrift store. She used her talent of needlework to create beautiful hand towels, blankets, Christmas decorations and other items donated for sale at the Mainland’s Women’s Club, where she also served as Treasurer for many years. Her other interests included bowling and playing mahjong. She was happiest surrounded by her beloved children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Joyce is survived by her devoted daughter, Maureen Kay Richards and son-in-law John Carl Richards; her son, Michael Kevin Bryan and longtime girlfriend Dawn Munro; her sister, Sandra Mueller; grandchildren Kristin Cara Kunstler and Marissa Kay Fuller; great grandsons Brendon and Jordan; and great granddaughter in waiting Irelynn. She is preceded in death by her brothers, Cecil Lawrence and Arthur Paul Sanderson.

The funeral service will take place at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in the Chapel on December 19th at 3:00 p.m., with immediate interment of her ashes next to her beloved husband. Friends of the family are invited to attend the service with a reception immediately following at her daughter’s home. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Kids in Distress or similar charitable organization with a focus on children.