Joyce Williams Berry

Joyce Williams Berry was born Virginia Joyce Miller on June 8, 1933, to Dewey and Virginia Miller in Kansas City, MO.  She passed away December 29 2024. Raised exclusively by her mother (with the help of boarding care) she was the oldest of three sisters.  She became a Christian as a child, and it was her strong Christian faith that got her through both the good times and the bad.  At the age of eleven she survived polio, and was told she may never walk again.  She beat the odds and became an exceptional athlete in high school playing basketball.  She found work as a model when she was a teenager and really enjoyed this. She graduated from Westport High School at the age of 17.

She married W. Sam Williams in 1950 and together they had two sons W. Sam Williams Jr. and T. Joe Williams.  The two later divorced after 10 years together.  She married Ralph Berry in the late 1960’s and considered him the love of her life.  Together they traveled the world and operated their traveling business.  During her young adult life, she enjoyed a career as an executive secretary where she worked for several different companies.

Joyce took early retirement in her 50’s due to a back injury and from then on devoted her time to being a mother, grandmother, sister and friend.  Known for her famous French toast, sage advice, humor and positivity she was always there for her family when they needed encouragement.  She continued her love of travel and enjoyed taking her grandchildren (and her beloved dogs) with her on her adventures.  She was a Baptist by faith, and was last a member of Ganado First Baptist Church in Ganado, TX.  She especially loved the beach in Rockport, TX and lived there later in life before moving back to Kansas City to be near family. 

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband Ralph Berry, mother Virgina Connely, sisters Barbara Miller and Mary Lou Ruffin and beloved son Joe Williams.  She is survived by her sister Lucy Wilson (Tom), son Sam Williams Jr. (Joan), and daughter-in-law Roberta Williams as well as her four grandchildren Chris Williams (Leslie), Joe Williams, Kate Barts (Jon), and Ginny Williams.  She has five great grandchildren: Rebecca Hancock, Tristin Williams, Ryan Williams, Ava Barts and Ashtyn Barts, as well as one great, great grandchild Gage Rosalez.

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