Mary Joyce Little

Mary Joyce was preceded by her parents Walter Winfred, Flossie Lee and her brothers Tommy and Walter Lee and her beloved daughter Jennie.

Mary is survived and missed by her loving husband Daniel of 30 years and her loving siblings Ralph, Carolyn, Jerry, Annette, Patsy, and Bessie.

She is dearly missed by her children David (Janet), Sabrina, and Laurie (Scott) and will be forever cherished and remembered by her grandchildren, Cameron (Emily), Michelle, Michael (Reagan), Arielle (Simone), Austin, Meghann (Brian), Kollin (Cristina), Joshua and great grandchildren Evie, Camilla, Phoebe, Izak, Baylee, and Abrielle.

Her memory will be cherished by the Crane family; Stanley and Yvonne and their children Meghann, Kollin, and Kevin. Fond memories of Mary Joyce will live on with her brothers’ and sisters’ children. She had many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

Mary Joyce was born and grew up on a farm in Lakota County Arkansas. She was present at the birth of her baby brother. No doubt to her delight, she was allowed to name him “Jerry”. At fifteen, her mother passed. Mary cared for and nurtured her siblings. Though times were tough for the family, her natural ability to lead pulled the family through.

Kindness and compassion were her gifts. Her treasured memory is of her six brothers leaving for military service and all six-returning home from war safe. Mary Joyce loved her Country and was very patriotic. Up to the time of her death, she never missed an opportunity to thank a Military Service member. She was immensely proud of her serving grandchildren.

Later Mary Joyce moved to Michigan to live with her Aunt Ava and Uncle Ed. Here she worked at the family restaurant and attended college in bookkeeping and accounting. She married and moved to San Diego and had her beloved daughter Jennie. While enjoying family life in San Diego Mary Joyce parlayed her natural organization skills into a successful 30-year career in corporate records management.

In 1992 she met the love of her life Dan, later they married. This was a fast moving and fantastic time in their lives. Joyce instantly welcomed Dan’s children as her own and the multiplying brood of grandkids. She celebrated every new addition with a loud Hallelujah.

Joyce and Dan moved to a lovely home in Temecula wine country. Together they traveled the world and shared many wonderful experiences. At home they enjoyed hosting holiday events, their large extended family, their children, and their children. Many practical jokes happened at their home on the hill in Temecula. Joyce was a good sport. Amid the chaos of lively children and festivities she somehow managed to teach us how to be better people.

Joyce’s unquenchable thirst for knowledge and faith, led her to become a Stephen Minister. She shared her love and compassion not only with her family, but with her larger Church family and her Chateau at Harveston family where she served as Ambassador. She is greatly missed by all. Her legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we can choose to live our life in a meaningful way with acts of love and service, as Christ modeled for us.