Joyce Eaker

Joyce Eaker, 86, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Anna, Illinois, died at 12:05 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at Southeast Hospital.

Joyce was born Oct. 15, 1928, in Commerce, Missouri, to George and Gertrude Peel Johnson. She married Verlee Eaker on July 10, 1950.

During their 64 years of marriage, Joyce assisted her husband during his ministry in Southern Illinois and was currently a member of Lake Milligan Baptist Church in Miller City, Illinois. In addition to being a full-time pastor's wife, she lovingly provided day care for many years in the Anna area and then owned and operated women's apparel shops Mode O Day and later Fashion Crossroads.

She is survived by her husband, the Rev. Verlee Eaker of Cape Girardeau; daughter, Beverlee (Jim) Hastings of Cape Girardeau; sons, Shelby (Nancy) Eaker of Martinsville, Indiana, and Mark (Penny) Eaker of Anna; six grandchildren, Bradley (Mary), Melissa, Joshua (Loree), Brock (Callie), Joby (Andrew) and Brandon; and four great-grandchildren, Evan, Emma, Ezra and Avery.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Bertha Sanders and Cora Wise; and brothers, Ernie Johnson and Charlie Johnson.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Crain Funeral Home in Anna.

The funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dean West and Kim Capel officiating. Interment will be at Casper Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Lake Milligan Baptist Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences, visit crainsonline.com.