Joyce Higgs

Joyce Mae Higgs passed away Friday, June 18, 2021, at 12:45 a.m. in Cape Girardeau.

Joyce was born to Paul "Eugene" and Mildred "Gertrude" Ross Thiele May 19, 1942. She was raised with two sisters, Charolette and Evelyn, and graduated from Leopold (Missouri) High School in 1959.

She was very proud of her country roots and was a self-proclaimed daddy's girl. Following high school, Joyce attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, where she was in the nursing program.

Joyce married Edward Thomas Stephens on Aug. 18, 1961, and raised two sons, Jeff and Kevin, in Scott City. She was involved with booster clubs for her sons' sports and band programs. She helped support her family as the front desk manager at Sunny Hill Hotel and Restaurant until its closing in the early 1980s.

On Sept. 25, 1985, Joyce and Leroy "Roy" Higgs were married in Dexter, Missouri, where they owned and operated a taxi service through the 1990s. After selling that business, the couple relocated to Lake Perry in Perryville, Missouri, with their beloved miniature schnauzer, "Mitzie." She was involved in their church, enjoyed fishing and working in her yard. Joyce worked part time at The Spillway located near the gated community and cared for her husband until his death in 2000.

"Joyce Grandma" was very proud of two grandchildren, Hailey Stephens (Jeff) Moore and Cameron Stephens, both of Creal Springs, Illinois. She enjoyed telling funny stories about her grandkids to anyone willing to listen.

Joyce will be forever remembered for her hard work, quick wit and willingness to help others. Her strength and courage were beyond words, as she spent her final eight years battling dementia and the consequences of a medical system that is inadequate in treating that condition. She spent 12 of her last 15 months alone, due to nursing home lockdowns and the recent pandemic.

Joyce is survived by two sons, Jeffery Duane Stephens of Cape Girardeau and Kevin Ray Stephens of Creal Springs; sister, Charolette Thiele (Howard) Poston of St. Louis; two grandchildren, Hailey and Cameron; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and her husband.

Visitation will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Funeral Home on Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Lightner Cemetery in Scott City.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.