Joyce Dean Williams

Joyce Dean Williams, 86, of Fordyce, passed from this life on July 23, 2018, at St. John's Place, after a short illness. She was born July 8, 1932 in Bunn, Arkansas the daughter of the late Leonard and Julia Ann Garlington McMahan and the granddaughter of the late Sil and Mary Bell Wright Garlington. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Laudell, her beloved daughter, Linda Gayle Davis and her sisters, Betty Sue Parker and Lois Raney, of Fordyce. Joyce is survived by her two sons, Rickey Williams (Nicole) of Hot Springs, and Larry Williams (Scarlett) of Fordyce, a niece, Brenda Billings (W.M.) of Fordyce, and a bonus daughter, Sherrie Buddenberg Langley, of Deer Park, Texas; eight grandchildren, Michael Davis, of New Orleans, La., Jason Williams, of Arlington, Wash., Danielle Williams, of Marysville, Wash., Eli Williams, of Marysville, Wash., Kacie Perez, of San Diego, Calif., and Samuel, Wyatt, and Carson Williams, of Fordyce. Five great-grandchildren, Bailey and Bryson Davis of New Orleans, La., and Rowan, Annabelle, and Ruthie Williams, of Arlington, Wash. Born during the Great Depression, in Bunn, Arkansas, Joyce came by her grit and determination honestly. She worked many different jobs during her lifetime, in the quest of making the lives of her family the best it could be. Most importantly, Joyce was an extraordinary nurse with a gift for caring, working many yeas for the Dallas County Hospital & Dallas County Nursing Home as well. She, fortunately, trained many of the nurses that cared for her during her recent illness. Each nurse had a special memory of the "Joyce training", they had received. The most important of these --"Care for everyone as if they were the only patient you have" -- was evident in the care she received. Joyce will be greatly missed for her chocolate cake, her yeast rolls, but mostly for her gritty sprit. The family would like to thank the staff of Dallas County Hospital, St. John's Place and Dr. Hugh Nutt and staff. The care and compassion shown to her and the family will never be forgotten. Graveside services will be held, at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 28, 2018 at Wright Cemetery with Bro Mark Wheeler officiating. No visitation will be held. Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guestbook.