Joyce Marie (Bennett) Jones

Joyce Marie Jones, nee Bennett, of Salem, Missouri passed away Monday, January 23, 2023 peacefully with her brother at her side at the age of 72 years, 11 months and 14 days. She was born February 9, 1950 in Salem to Ed and Opal Haas Bennett.

Joyce grew up in Salem graduating in 1968 from Salem High School, earning a degree from Southwest Baptist College in 1972 and later her Master’s degree in education from Lincoln University. She taught at Green Forest Elementary School retiring after 25 years. She loved her students and felt very blessed to hopefully make a positive difference in their lives. Even on her last day of life, a former student and now a nurse at the hospital expressed the kindness and caring that Joyce had shown to her as a teacher. After retirement, she served as an educator for Parents As Teachers at the Oak Hill and Green Forest Schools for four years. Later, she worked at the Dent County Extension Office for a number of years.

Throughout the years and even as a child Joyce loved to be involved. From Brownies, Girl Scouts, Rainbow Girls and Beta Signa Phi she loved the comradery with others. She loved her dance classes, baton twirling, college plays and as an adult taking piano lessons. As a volunteer, Joyce spent many hours on the Fair Board, Commons Committee, Workforce Development Assoc., Developmental Disabilities Board, Chamber of Commerce, being named Citizen of the Year 1999, SACBA (Salem Area Community Betterment Association) secretary, First Baptist Church librarian, and United Methodist Church Love Packs program and Lay leader. Joyce was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church.

Joyce’s health became a major factor in her early life at around 12 years old, she began having issues with rheumatoid arthritis. But even with that, it did not slow her down. She loved the activities and continued her life the best she could. Joyce enjoyed going on cruises, going to Florida two or three times a year with sea shell collecting, scrap booking and reading.

In February of 1988, she was united in marriage to Michael Jones who had been a class mate and a very close dear friend throughout the years. Their marriage was a good match and they looked forward to a life together. During their marriage, they bought Marks Jewelry and it became Bennett-Jones. However, life was cut short for Michael in a very few years. Joyce continued to teach at that time and kept busy as she always did.

Joyce will be missed by her many friends, the community of Salem and most of all by her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Ed and Opal Bennett; her husband, Michael Jones; her brother, Gary Bennett; step-father, Rick Domeyer and sister-in-law, Beverly Jones.

She will be sadly missed by her brother, Bill (Liz) Bennett of Steelville, MO; sister-in-law, Beth Bennett of Battlefield, MO; nephews and niece, Ross (Nicole) Bennett, Brandon (Ashlee) Bennett, Lane (Kate) Bennett, Aaron (Sarah) Bennett and Samantha (Matty) Jackson; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clinton Jones, Herb (Stacy) Jones and William (Martha) Jones all of Salem, MO and Nancy Jones Kerr of Nixa, MO; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; other relatives; and many friends.

The Family received friends from 11:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the Salem United Methodist Church, Salem, MO

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023 with Pastor Barry Baugh officiating. Special memories were shared by her brother, Bill Bennett. Music of "Blessed Assurance" and "What a Day that Will Be" was sung by Lisa Wulff and accompanied on piano by childhood and long time friend, Sara Kathryn Pines.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Mt. Hermon Cemetery, Salem, MO.

Honored to be casket bearers were Ross Bennett, Brandon Bennett, Lane Bennett, Aaron Bennett, Bill Haas and Herb Jones.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salem United Methodist Church, 801 East Scenic Rivers Blvd., Salem, MO 65560.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.

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