Joyce Murray

Eva “Joyce” Murray, age 82, of St. Louis, Missouri and, most recently, Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024. Joyce was born February 9, 1942, in Rector, Arkansas, to Eugene and Eva Lucille (nee: Gibson) Ward. They have preceded her in death, as have her siblings: Jimmie Ward, Bobby Ward, Regine Fitzgerald, Larry Carter, and Virl Carter. Joyce is survived by: her daughter Debbie Murray, son Rick Murray, grandson Zack, and half-sisters Janice Beleher, Sharon Webb (Jim), Sue Carter; half-brothers: Carl Ward (Mary Lou), James Ward (Marla), Thurman Ward, and Harold Ward; she is also survived by nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

With grit and determination, Joyce put herself through business school after graduating high school. At that time, she lived in Shelby, Michigan with her sister and brother-in-law. She then moved to St. Louis, married, and proudly worked as an administrative assistant for Fleishman Hillard, Leeds & Northrup, Famous-Barr and ultimately retired from Macy’s department store. Joyce was a woman of faith having attended United Pentecostal Church, Faith Church St. Louis, Abundant Life and participating in services with Highland Park Church and The Sycamore Church most recently.

She was the life and sparkle of any party with her fashion sense, charm, quick wit and heart of a champion servant. She was so very generous, loving to cook, bake, and shower others with gifts and goodies from her kitchen. She loved to attend festivals, parades, concerts and listen to live music just about anywhere anytime. She was an avid fan of Elvis Presley, the Oak Ridge Boys and St. Louis Cardinals. Among friends, she was well known for hosting dinners and parties to celebrate just about any occasion, including birthdays, Cinco De Mayo, St. Patrick’s Day and always Christmas!

Her greatest pride and joy were her two children. She loved Rick and Debbie with all her heart, making certain in the end that they each knew how very much she appreciated and loved them to her very core.

Joyce brought light and sunshine into any room with her beauty and kind heart. Her spirit is indeed Heaven’s gain and our great loss.