Souther, Joyce July 16, 1934 - October 29, 2021

Joyce Marilyn (Baumgarden) Souther was born near Collins, Missouri, on July 16,
1934, to Lillie (Waite) and Bert Baumgarden. From Collins, the Baumgardens moved
to the Monegaw Springs, Missouri, area where Joyce and her sisters grew up. Joyce
attended the Upper Monegaw School during her elementary years and then went to
Appleton City, Missouri, High School until her junior year when her family moved
to the Vista, Missouri, area. Joyce graduated from Osceola, Missouri, High School in
1953.

Following high school, Joyce married Roy Elliott on October 28, 1953, at the Methodist Church in Vista, Missouri. After Roy got out of the United States Army, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Joyce did secretarial work. While in Kansas
City, their son, Garret Lee Elliott, was born on August 16, 1963. Shortly after Garret
was born, Joyce and Roy moved to the Vista area where they dairy farmed for many
years. Joyce and Roy divorced in the late 1960s. Joyce and Garret moved to Osceola where Joyce became employed with the St.
Clair County Bank in Lowry City, Missouri, where she met Ambrose “Barney” Souther. They married on March 11, 1972, and made their home on the Souther family farm in Iconium, Missouri. On August 23, 1973, their daughter, Amy Lynn Souther,
was born. While Amy was growing up, Joyce was a stay-at-home mom. When Amy
became older, Joyce went back to work at the St. Clair County Library in Osceola.
From the library, she reentered the banking business at the St. Clair County Bank in
Osceola from which she retired.

During her life on the farm in Iconium, Joyce took care of chickens and cattle as
well as tended to a very large garden each summer. She was known for her delicious
and bountiful tomato crop each year. She was a good neighbor throughout the years
in Iconium, helping those around her with food, rides to doctors’ appointments, and
providing other care as needed. Joyce cared for her mother, Lillie, for several years in
her home, before Lillie moved into a care facility.
Joyce was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lowry City before it closed
this past year. She was a faithful member of her church where she served in many capacities over the years to include offices and positions in the church and helping with countless meals. She loved her church family and attended on a regular basis until her
health declined. Joyce loved the Lord and it showed by the way she lived her life. As
a breast cancer survivor, Joyce appreciated each and every day.

Joyce and Barney were very active in the Lowry City community for many years.
Joyce was a member of the Lowry City Community Betterment organization for
which she volunteered many hours. Joyce was a member of Study Guild in Osceola for many years. She also enjoyed attending Bible Study with her sister, Peg, and friends every week until her health prevented her from joining in the fellowship.
After Barney passed away in 2011, Joyce eventually moved to Osceola where she
lived until this past August when she entered Truman Lake Manor in Lowry City.
She passed away early Friday morning, October 29, 2021, at the age of 87 years, after
suffering with Alzheimer’s for the past few years. Joyce not only loved to garden but she was also a good cook. Her family especially enjoyed her chocolate pies. Bran muffins and cheesecake were some more of her
specialities.

Joyce loved to vacation and travel. During her early years, she and Roy entertained
family members and friends on lake outings with their boat. During her later years,
Joyce and Barney made many trips with her sisters and brothers-in-law, Wanda and
Marion Mifflin, and Peg and Stan Eldridge. One of their favorite trips was a camping
trip along the Alaska Highway. Wanda and Peg were Joyce’s best friends her entire
life. There was a very special bond between them that only became stronger as the
years passed.

Joyce always enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with her family and friends. She
did so on a weekly basis for many years. She also enjoyed eating at the Landmark
Restaurant in Lowry City on a regular basis. She and her sisters hardly ever missed a
Wednesday or Sunday eating there at lunchtime.

Joyce had many loves in her life, but none so much as the love of her children,
their spouses, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed spending
time with them whenever she could. Family gatherings were always highlights for
Joyce, especially when these gatherings included her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joyce would light up everytime she saw Liam and Zoe. She will be sorely missed by those who loved her so much.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Barney. Left to mourn
her loss are her son, Garret Elliott, and wife, DeeAnn, of Osceola; daughter, Amy
Dwyer and husband, Tom, of Iconium; her grandchildren, Travis Elliott and wife,
Dani, of Osceola, Niki Elliott of Osceola, Kyle Elliott of Albuquerque, NM, and David Dwyer of Iconium; great-grandchildren, Liam and Zoe Elliott of Osceola; sisters, Wanda Mifflin of Lowry City and Peg Eldridge and husband, Stan, of Osceola; sister-in-law, Ramona Moore of Pleasant Valley, Missouri; countless nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; cousins; extended family members; and a host of friends.