Those of us who loved Joyce are comforted in the knowledge that she is finally at peace and is resting in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Joyce was born Priscilla Joyce Call on August 27, 1940 in Sword’s Creek, Virginia to Eileen Call (née Harris) and Reece M. Call. She was the first of their two children. When Joyce was 4 years-old, her family moved to Akron, Ohio, where she and her sister, Judith Ann Call, spent the rest of their childhoods.
When she was a freshman at Akron East High School, Joyce met David George Frutchey, a junior, at a French Club-German Club dance. Thereafter, they were seldom apart. Joyce and Dave were sweethearts throughout high school and college and were married on June 17, 1960.
A proud Air Force wife, Joyce joined Dave at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. Joyce and Dave fell in love with California and decided to make it their permanent home. The first of their 3 daughters, Alyson Eileen, was born at Travis. Daughters Coleen Joyce and Crystal Renee were born in Garden Grove, CA. In 1972, the Frutcheys moved from Garden Grove to the North Bay area, settling in Petaluma, CA, where Joyce lived most of her life.
Joyce studied early childhood education at Akron University and eventually earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Sonoma State University. For a number of years, Joyce ran the Tiny Tots preschool with the Petaluma Department of Parks and Recreation and worked as a secretary for the American Missionary Fellowship in Santa Rosa, CA.
But it was her family to whom Joyce was most devoted. She was an original “Mama Bear” who had a fierce sense of protectiveness for her daughters and, eventually, for her grandchildren, as their “Mimi." In times of crisis, Joyce would step up and provide strong, steady support and loving prayers.
Joyce was a devoted Christian and an active, fun-loving churchgoer. Her laughter could be heard across Fellowship Hall. She taught Sunday school, directed Christmas plays, and sang in the church choir for many years. Lifelong friendships were born from small group Bible studies and game nights with friends, including Jean and Tom Gray and Maryann and Wally Yew.
Joyce had the gift of hospitality and loved to welcome friends and strangers alike into her home. She will be remembered as a creative person who enjoyed decorating, hosting teas, sewing, cooking, playing piano, and singing hymns. In later years, Joyce and Dave enjoyed taking trips on cruise ships and traveling to visit family.
Joyce was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eileen and Reece Call, grandson Joshua Thomas Frutchey, and granddaughter Noelle Elizabeth Wylie. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Dave Frutchey of Midlothian, VA, daughters Alyson Wylie (Alan) of Petaluma, CA, Coleen Bogert (Dean) of Midlothian, VA, Crystal Miller (Cary) of Kansas City, MO, sister Judith Andrew of Stow, OH, 10 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Joyce’s life is scheduled for April 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at The Chapel, 3505 Old Hundred Road S., Midlothian, VA, 23112. Messages and remembrances for the family may be left on the website of the Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Road, Midlothian, VA, 23113. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chinese Christian Mission, 1269 N. McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma, CA, 94954.
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