Joyce Ponder Pattison Dunn

Joyce Ponder Pattison Dunn, 88, of Little Rock passed away Dec. 23, 2011. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Gloria Magee (David) of Little Rock, Dwight Pattison (Darcy) of North Little Rock, and Harry Pattison (Joy Archer and daughter, Shayla Archer) of Bainbridge Island, Wash.; grandchildren, Jonathan Magee (Cindy) of Warren, Laura and Nancy Magee, both of Little Rock, Sara Cougill (Nate) of Denver, Colo., Jinny Richardson (Sean) of Waukesha, Wis., Amy Roberts (Clay) and Luke Pattison, both of North Little Rock, Hannah Pattison of Eugene, Ore. and Sophie Pattison of Tacoma, Wash.; great-grandchildren, Abigail and Emily Magee, Haileigh and Bruce Roberts, and Zeke Richardson; sister-in-law, Catherine Ponder and nephew, Stephen Ponder (Becky) of Houston, Texas, and nephew, Tom Ponder (Audra) of Itasca, Ill. Joyce was born Nov. 12, 1923 to Ruth Hopper and Harry Lee Ponder at the home of her grandmother, Louella Majors, in Tuckerman, Ark. The family moved to Little Rock in the fall of 1929, to Memphis the following spring for three years, and then back to Little Rock in October 1933. She graduated from Little Rock High School in 1941 and entered Ouachita Baptist University that fall. Transferring to East Texas State University in May 1944, she received her degree in biology in 1945. She then entered the Kilbury School of Medical Technology, becoming a registered medical technologist in 1947. In 1949, she married Dwight Nelson Pattison, who preceded her in death in 1956. Shortly thereafter, Joyce began working full-time in clinical chemistry at St. Vincent Infirmary, later became the instructor for the Clinical Laboratory Assistant Program for five years, and then worked in hematology for 13 years at Baptist Memorial Hospital in North Little Rock before she retired. In 1984, she married Silas Theron Dunn, who died in 1989. Also preceding her in death were her brother, Thomas C. Ponder and nephew, Harry Ponder, both of Houston. Joyce's favorite hobby was exploring the country in her travel trailer with her mother and children in tow. They made their first trip in 1958 and eventually visited all of the contiguous states and five Canadian provinces, touring many historical sites and national parks, and taking trips that lasted as long as 55 days. An active member of Immanuel Baptist Church for 78 years, she taught fifth grade Sunday school for 16 years, assisted with choir, GA's and youth programs while her children were growing up. In later years, she participated in Sunday school, WMU, and XYZ. She was elected a lifetime member of the PTA due to her active participation while her children were in school. Joyce was an avid reader, a crossword puzzle fanatic, an accomplished seamstress (she made all her own clothing for over 50 years as well as most of her daughter's), and she loved to cook. Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 4 from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Court (northwest corner I-630 and Barrow Road). Funeral services will be Thursday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Immanuel Baptist Church, with Reverend Gary Hollingsworth and Reverend Rick Jaggers officiating. The family will greet friends at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church Library. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 501-224-2200. Joyce's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.