Joyce will lie in state on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 9am to 12pm in the Memorial Park Funeral Home for visitation; 6969 Interstate 40 East in Amarillo. Funeral services will follow at 2pm in the funeral home’s Chapel of Memories with Greg Corona presiding. Burial will take place in the Memorial Park Cemetery. You may view the live stream at www.facebook.com/memorialparkfuneral should you not wish or not be able to attend the service in person.
Joyce was born on December 4, 1937 in Fairfield, Texas to Jimmy Clifton and Floy Alma (Richardson) Christian.
Joyce’s goal in life was making those around her happy. She cooked when you were hungry and calmed the atmosphere when it was needed. Her laugh was infectious and lit up the room. For this reason, her family made her laugh as often as possible.
She had many favorite pass times but none more than family card nights and bingo. She was most certainly an outdoors kind of woman. Camping, fishing, and everything the outdoors involved were what made her happy. As a young girl, she loved sling-shotting her sisters from trees, crawdad poling, and of course her families card nights.
Joyce was always available when the family needed anything. Her work ethic was surpassed by none and everyone who knew her knew it.
As Joyce entered heaven, she was greeted by her parents, and over half a dozen grandchildren who didn’t get the chance to meet her on this earth. Those left to cherish her memory are her children Ricky Merritt and wife Josie, Kennith Merritt and wife Jennifer, and Darren Merritt. She leaves behind her legacy of grandchildren Russ Merritt and wife Cherylin, Twanna Young and husband Brian, Jeff Flanary and wife Brittany, and Brady Merritt; and her great-grandchildren Annabell, Morrisan, and “one on the way” Flanary, as well as Marcus, Madison, Mia, Milani, and Axel Merritt.
