Joyce Miller, 82, died on the afternoon of Thursday, April 22 in Wichita, KS. A visitation will be held in Warrensburg, MO from 5:00-7:00pm on Wednesday, April 28 at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, April 29 at First Christian Church in Warrensburg followed by a private interment at Sunset Hill Cemetery.

Joyce was beloved by all who knew her. She may have only stood just over 5' tall but her warm heart and bubbly personality stood well above all others. Born in 1938 in southern Missouri, she was the youngest child of four. Joyce loved her daddy and would spend many an afternoon in the store he ran in their small town where he doted on her and let his little girl dip into the candy jar for special treats. As a child, she was filled with curiosity and a contagious sort of energy which would lead to her later being described as a shaken bottle of pop with the lid still on.

After graduating from high school in 1955, Joyce set out for Columbia, MO to attend The
University of Missouri where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music. While there, she added her voice to the University Singers as well as played with the Marching Tigers. Music was a constant throughout Joyce's life. It flowed through her like air. After graduation, she spent a year teaching vocal music in Iowa before making her way to Richmond, MO to teach vocal music at the high school. It was here where a tall, handsome man would enter her life and set her on a grand adventure. Jerry was the art teacher at the school and the two of them soon became a creative force. While there was a foot of height difference between them, no two people could be closer. They wed in 1961 and soon expanded their family with the birth of their two sons.

Joyce and Jerry later left Richmond to start a new chapter in Warrensburg, MO. Jerry took a job with the university while Joyce became the vocal music teacher at the high school. During this time she started up the school's swing choir, known as A Stitch In Time. Many generations of students benefitted from the direction of Joyce over the years. Under her leadership, groups of vocalists consistently received the highest ratings at competition. She eventually switched gears by getting a Master's Degree in Library Sciences and became the head librarian at the high school which allowed her love of books and knowledge to shine. But music was still her first love and she became the Director of the Community Chorus.

In addition to music and books, Joyce had a love for gardening, bird-watching, travelling,
spoiling her two grandsons, and being an active member of her church. Throughout her life she was always willing to dive in and share her overflowing energy with all. She is proof that one can be small but mighty.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Norma and Irma Jean, and brother Bobby. She is survived by her husband, Jerry; sons, Jeff and Jay; daughter-in-law, Amy; grandsons, Cole and Quinn; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: First Christian Church of Warrensburg and/or Warrensburg Community Chorus.