Betty Joyce Thomas

Betty Joyce Thomas was escorted into heaven by God’s angels on October 19, 2020. She was surrounded by her husband and daughters who loved her dearly.

Joyce was born to Linda and Jesse Millican on September 21, 1937 in Gunnison, Mississippi. She was one of 6 children. Joyce loved her brothers and sisters dearly. She loved school from the beginning and excelled in all her classes. This was a gift that continued throughout her life as she did what she loved and fulfilled her calling to “TEACH”.

Joyce met her soul mate, Harold Edward Thomas, in Memphis, Tennessee, at a Bible study get together. Just like in the movies, it was love at first sight.  She challenged Harold to a ping pong game and showed no mercy on him at all. Their friendship and love grew over the next year, and they married on July 5, 1959 in Alligator, Mississippi. Together they have four daughters, 4 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

She is greatly missed by her family but left a lifetime of treasured memories to reflect on for the rest of our lives.  Our mother was the picture of a virtuous woman as is so beautifully described in Proverbs 31: 10-20. “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her”.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Joyce’s life at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home- 2201 N Partin Drive, Niceville Florida, on Friday, October 30, 2020. There will be a family viewing from 1:00-2:00, and a friend viewing from 2:00-3:00.  The Funeral service is from 3:00 - 4:00. Burial service will immediately follow the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests a donation be made in her honor to Rocky Bayou Christian School.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty Joyce Thomas, please visit our floral store.