Dorothy "Joyce" Downing, aged 79, born in Hammond, Indiana, the only child, of Laverne "Blossom" (nee Downing) Wearda, went home to her Savior on Tuesday, July 27th. At the tender age of five, due to her mother's illness, Joyce was sent to live with her Uncle Cecil and Aunt Bell Downing of Humboldt, Tennessee. After graduating from Humboldt High School in 1963, she continued her education throughout her life, attending Dyersburg Community College, for basic electronics, Jackson State Community College, for computer technology, and Tennessee Real Estate Licensing classes. In 1965, Joyce started working for BellSouth as a switchboard operator. She relocated to Orlando, Florida, where she later co-owned and operated a bar and grill; she loved to cook for her patrons. She returned to Tennessee in 1988, for a job opportunity working as a lineman for Southern Bell. After 30 years of service, she retired from the phone company and became an office assistant and affiliate broker with Pritchard Realty. She created and maintained their website while helping her clients buy and sell their homes. During this time, she launched and ran Nine Oaks Printing Company creating business logos, marketing materials and printed T-Shirts. She fully surrendered her heart to the Lord and rededicated her life just before moving to Mason, Michigan and then later to Indiana in 2014. Joyce worked as a master merchandiser for Driveline Retail until 2016 when she took a position as a cashier for Dollar General in Lake Station until she retired in 2022. It was in Indiana where Joyce felt compelled to be re-baptized in 2017, at Hobart Assembly of God, where she was a member for her remaining days. Joyce had a servant's heart and enjoyed helping others. She went on a missionary trip to Belize and volunteered in many ministries including the West Tennessee Camp Bluebird, Joy in the Journey, Smokey Mountain Children's Home, Brother's Keeper, Maria Reiner Center, Hobart AssemblyFood Pantry, and served as the director for Helping Hands of Humboldt, Tennessee. She was recognized for awards for the countless hours she dedicated to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and West Tennessee Healthcare. Joyce won a Purchase Award for her painting "Fruit Crop" at the Humboldt art exhibition thanks to her passion for the arts. She helped organize fundraising events and sold art to raise money for children and those in need and also participated in the Relay for Life benefit for the American Cancer Society of Gibson County, Tennessee. In her free time, she shared the love of Jesus with others, entertained children while being JoJo the clown, played games on her computer, traveled, and fished. She loved Corgis and most of all spending time with her Circle Sisters, Hobart Assembly SonShine Gang and loved ones. She had a special ability for making friends wherever she went and creating her own family of lifelong friends. Joyce is survived by her God-given children, Charlene (Greg) Johnson, Tawnya (TJ) Gregory, and Dave (Karen) Hiller; grandchildren, Tiarra, Justin, Josiah (Alliah), Aaron, Samuel, and Joshua; great grandchildren, Isabelle, Elijah, Jace, and Isaiah and many other special friends whom she called family. She is preceded in death by her mother, Laverne Wearda, her Uncle Cecil, and Aunt Bell Downing. A celebration of Joyce's life will be held from 2-5pm on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Hobart Assembly of God, 7545 E Ridge Rd, Hobart, IN 46342. Cremation is entrusted to Rees Funeral
Home, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart, Indiana 46342. (219) 942-2109 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.