Joy Palsa Mason

Joy Palsa Mason, 84, of Carlisle, died peacefully on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at Lakewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in North Little Rock due to complications from Alzheimer's. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God and the love and prayers of family and friends lessened her burden in her final days. A longtime resident of Carlisle and a regular, active member of the First Baptist Church of Carlisle for decades, Joy was a faithful servant to God. As a loyal member of the Bible Study Fellowship for eight years, she loved her church and much of her life was spent in service of it. Joy was born in Woodlawn, Arkansas (Lonoke County) on August 8, 1932 to parents, John Edward and Carra (Johnson) Palsa who both preceded her in death. In 1949, the same year she graduated from Carlisle High School, she married her husband for the next 53 years, William Archie Mason Jr., to whom she remained a loyal and faithful partner until his death in 2002. Known for her kind and gentle disposition and strength from faith and family, Joy was a loving and compassionate wife, mother and friend. Along with her dedication to church and family, Joy was an administrative assistant for the Superintendent of Carlisle Schools for years and also spent time in the trust department at Citizens Bank & Trust in Carlisle. She also was involved in several other civic organizations including the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce, Progressive Club and especially the Carlisle Alumni Association. In addition to her brothers, Jim (Jean) Palsa of Winchester, Arkansas and Tim (Sue) Palsa of Carlisle, Joy is survived by her two children, John William Mason (Len) of Sherwood, Arkansas and LaQuita Mason Bennett (Billy) of Carlisle, and three grandchildren, John Mason Bennett (Miranda) of Oxford, Mississippi; Chad Michael Bennett (Brea) of Carlisle, and Amber Bennett Bynum (Martin) of Little Rock and eight great-grandchildren, Lily Bennett and Weston Bennett; Mary Mason Bennett, Brooks Bennett and Walker Bennett; Bennett Bynum, LauraBeth Bynum and Welles Bynum and many other beloved nieces, nephews, friends, and relatives. A visitation for family and friends of Joy will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12 at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 13 at the First Baptist Church in Carlisle. Burial will be in the Carlisle Cemetery. Memorials in memory of Joy can be made to the Carlisle Alumni Association, 825 East 6th Street, Carlisle, Arkansas,72024. Online obituary at www.westbrookfuneralhomehazen.com.