Willa Joyce Brown

Willa Joyce Brown, of Harviell, Mo., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 9, 2017 at the age of 87.

Joyce or “Miss Brown” was born in Selmer, Tenn. on June 1, 1929 and spent her childhood in her beloved Tennessee. Over the years she would also live in Mississippi and Arkansas before settling in Michigan, where she had 6 daughters. Miss Brown moved her family to south Poplar Bluff in the 1960s. She enjoyed her job as a dietary aid at Lucy Lee Hospital until her retirement. She enjoyed reading her Bible and sharing her love of Jesus to all that she encountered. Her family brought her great joy and would find her home full of loud conversations, lots of laughter, and even more love. She would jitterbug to the big band era music and singing along with Eddie Arnold, Marty Robbins, and Gene Autry were a favorite pastime of hers. Her infectious smile and sweet demeanor will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her daughters, Breitta (John) Tetidrick of Union MO; Belinda (Rodger) Aldridge of Poplar Bluff MO; Crystal (Dennis) Payne of Columbia MO; Dawn Brown of Washington, Mo; Cheryl (Rodney) Hanner of Harviell, MO. She was the adored grandmother to 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her eldest daughter and son-in-law Tonda (Joe) Williams, and by her granddaughter Amy Joann Williams.

The visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. Pastor Jason Jordan will officiate. Burial will be at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in her honor can be made to The Alzheimer's Association at ALZ.org