Elizabeth Joyce W. Clark

Published 12:33 pm Friday, April 4, 2014

Funeral services were held March 25, 2014, at Saulters Moore Funeral Chapel in Prentiss, for Joyce W. Clark, age 90, of St. Catherine’s Village Siena Center, Madison, who passed away March 22, at St. Catherine’s Village in Madison where she had resided for the past eight years. Interment followed at Prentiss Cemetery. Dr. French Tripp officiated.

Pallbearers were David Locke, Hiram Williams, Jack Magee and Jerry Q. Magee. Saulters Moore Funeral Home of Prentiss was in charge of arrangements.

Joyce Williams Clark was born in Prentiss on November 20, 1923, to R.C. and Bessie Magee Williams. She received her elementary and high school education in the Prentiss Consolidated School. She then attended MSCW, now The University for Women, and graduated in 1946 with a B.S. degree in Home Economics.

Email newsletter signup

Joyce’s first job was home supervisor with Farmer’s Security in Gulfport, from 1946-1947. The following year she taught home economics in Belzoni. In 1948 Joyce started her career with the Cooperative Extension Service in Greenville as assistant home demonstration agent in Washington Co. In October of that year Joyce transferred to Lexington in Holmes Co. as home demonstration agent for nine years. She then moved to Tunica Co. for 10 years as Extension Home Economist. In January 1967 she returned to Greenville as Extension Home Economist for Washington Co. Until her retirement in 1982.

Along the way, Joyce received many honors on the state and national level, as well as serving in many offices at both state and national level. Perhaps her most cherished position was serving as president of the National Home Economist Association in 1969. That year Joyce was honored to be asked by President Nixon to serve on a panel during the White House Conference on Food and Nutrition, hosted by President and Mrs. Nixon.

Joyce had many friends throughout the state of Mississippi and the United States. During her travels, Joyce visited all 50 states, her last being a cruise to Alaska.

Joyce’s church membership always remained in her hometown church, Prentiss Presbyterian, but she was faithful to her church wherever she lived throughout her career. In Greenville, her last and longest position, Joyce was a member of the Chancel Choir, taught Sunday school and Bible studies for her circle. She was a member of the Altrusa Club and the Eastern Star.

She was a resident of St. Catherine’s Village-Siena Center since 2006. At St. Catherine’s Joyce loved and was loved by all her caregivers, receiving the greatest love and care.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Roscoe (wife Maxine); brother, Carroll (wife Nell) and her niece, Cindy Williams.

Left to cherish her memory are nieces, Rachel Williams Courtney (Tommy) of Brandon and Olivia Farish of Prentiss; great-niece, Lisa Courtney Lock (David), their two children Courtney Lock Wilson (Taylor) of Longview, TX, and Jesse Lock of Brandon; great-nephews, Grant Courtney of Roanoke, VA, and Chris Farish of Seattle, WA; as well as extended family and friends.

Memorials may be made to St. Catherine’s Village, 200 Dominican Dr., Madison, MS 39110; Prentiss Presbyterian Church, PO Box 561, Prentiss, MS 39474 or the charity of your choice.