Joyce Garrison

Joyce C. Garrison, The Sun will shine a little brighter as Joyce smiles down on us from her new home in Heaven.

Born to Mildred G. and John E. Wells on April 5, 1941, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, went to be with her Lord on May 5, 2010, at the age of 69, following her courageous 5 yr. battle with ovarian cancer.

She had very fond memories of growing up in the Upper Peninsula with her sister, Ruth Ann, and her many dear friends as they cheered for the Chassell High Class D Basketball State Champions in 1956, 57 and 58. Upon graduation she attended Northern Michigan University, before moving to the Lower Peninsula with her husband, Walt Kyes (deceased), three children and expecting their fourth, before attending Lansing Community College.

Joyce's family was the center of her world, and as the children started school she joined the Michigan State University family as a member of the Physical Plant Team, where she was priveleged to work for 25 great years before retiring in the fall of 2000.

Her smile, zest for life, love of family and friends, and belief that the glass was always A½ full endeared her to all those who knew her. As retirement became reality, her daily focus shifted from her work place family to her husband, Tom, children, grandchildren, and her many old and new friends alike. This person with the bright smile, kind words, and steady encouragement for all those she came in contact with was challenged by the ultimate loss of her daughter, Kerry Lynn Kyes, and the news that she had stage 3C ovarian cancer.

Her passion for being a part of her eleven grandchildren's sports and art activities, her dedication as a fan of the MSU Women's Basketball program, and her motto of, "Every day is an Adventure," just gives you a glimpse of the caring, fun, selfless person so many fell in love with.

Joyce will be so greatly missed by her loving family, husband, Tom, daughter, Kelly (Don) Wells, son, Scott (Suzi) Kyes, son, Jeffrey (Darcie) Kyes, stepdaughter, Tonya Keith, stepson, Chris (Lynn) Garrison, grandchildren, Lindsey Wells, Elizabeth Kyes, Jordan Wells, Cody Garrison, Brooke Garrison, Carson Keith, Emma Kyes, Maddy Kyes, John Kyes, Anna Kyes, Dorsey Keith and Jackson Kyes (deceased), sister, Ruth Ann Welsh, brother in laws, Chuck (Sandy) Garrison, Jim (Connie) Garrison and Jeff Garrison, sister in laws, Zora (Gary) Conley and Addie (Frank) Sudac, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, also, very special friend Jon Feise.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 8, 2010, at Osgood Funeral Home, St. Johns, with Rev. Matt Olson officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Friday. Contributions may be made in memory of Joyce to First Congregational Church of St. Johns, MI.

To learn more about Joyce and view her Life Story film, visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/58525 , where you can share a memory or photo and sign her memory book.