Joyce Delaine Lemon McMillian
April 17,1945 to December 12th, 2023
Beloved Wife, loving Mother, Goofy Grandma, Coordinator of Admissions at MWSU for morethan 30 years. Deeply creative, there was little Joyce could not mold with her magic hands andmagnificent mind.
Joyce never knew a stranger, and her hugs, smile, and words of encouragement were notrestricted to those in her circle. Her circle was wide and deep, and had an opening so thatanyone could enter it. Her coffee pot was always on for those who needed to talk in the middleof the night. “Grandma” to hundreds of students at St.Francis, LeBlond, and Missouri Western.Eucharistic Minister and Lector at St Francis and a volunteer to countless efforts. Her Catholicfaith and fellowship were a core part of who she was.
Joyce’s work was never just work. It was her calling. Her MWSU colleagues were family to her,not just friends. Their children she loved as she did her own, helping each other through thetriumphs and tragedies. Anyone that worked with Joyce will tell you “ She ran that place, and itwould have fallen apart without her.”. Even the Globetrotters made it a point when on campus tocome and get a “Joyce Hug”. She was an ambassador for MWSU to the end.
Her children and grandchildren (and countless others) are forever blessed with memories of“Joyce Magic”. From Birthdays to Christmas ( She so loved Christmas), to Graduations andWeddings, for Joyce, love was a VERB. She would spend hundreds of hours ( and stay up allnight) to ensure that every detail was perfect. Nothing made her happier than seeing othershappy. Her need in this life was to be needed.
Joyce was the original Cake Boss(Lady). And no costume or “special project” request was toomuch. Blowing people’s minds with what her mind and her hands could dream of and manifest.She was a cruising, camping, and Colorado kind of gal. A spend the night on the sidewalk tosee the Royals in the World Series kind of fan. We lived at the baseball field growing up, andshe was the scorekeeper for all of our games. Cheering us and everyone else on from thestands at every sporting event. In these past years, College football and the Chiefs gave hersomething to cheer for.
A graduate of Lafayette HS class of ’63, Joyce is survived by her husband, James McMillian ofSt. Joseph, son Jeffery McMillian (spouse Julie McMillian), daughter Jolie McMillian, sisterJanice Crowe and sisters-in-law Jean Walter, Connie Lemon and Diann Stanton-Corman,grandchildren Jonathan Cole McMillian, Clay Appell, and Caleb McMillian, many nieces,nephews and cousins, and Toby her loyal and beloved Havanese. She was preceded byparents John D and Blanche M Lemon, and brothers John and Wayne Lemon.One of her greatest wishes was to be with her Daddy. We have no doubt he brought her home.Visitation will be held at Heaton Bowman, Monday December 18th from 6-8pmA Mass will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church, Tuesday December 19th at 11am ( also thedate that would have been her 58th Wedding Anniversary).
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a cause close to your heart, and should you wish to trulyhonor Joyce’s spirit, should you see someone that needs a hug, please give them one.
