MURPHYSBORO- On Wednesday, February 28th, at 11:45 pm, Joyce Evelyn Stearns, 76, ran into the arms of Jesus, after a long and courageous battle of physical pain and suffering. Our precious mother, wife, grandma, sister and friend was prayed into heaven with her family at her bedside in Murphysboro, Illinois.

Joyce, Joyce, and Rejoice (lovingly dubbed by a lifelong Gorham resident and friend) was born in Pomona, IL to Leslie and Evelyn (Latchaw-Wright) Gearhart. She was born into a family of a lot of kids – and we mean a LOT. She was one of 13 children! Joyce loved being part of a big family and developed many talents and skills because of having so many in her family – like being the best cook in the whole world. Just ask anyone who attended Gorham School.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Claude, and their two children, Heath Stearns and Cheryl (Adam) McCann, both of Murphysboro, IL.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bethany Cluster (Katie), of DeSoto, IL, Faith Cluster of Murphysboro, IL and William Stearns (Dana) of Greenbrier, AR. In addition, Joyce has numerous great grandchildren who are all little stinkers, most of the time, but during her struggles became little doctors, nurses and prayer warriors (even when Grandma told them to leave her alone) -Hazel, Autumn and Lucian Petrillo, all of Murphysboro, IL, and Malakai Warren of Shelbyville, IL, her step grandchildren: Alex (Hayley), Issac, Trevor and Mallory McCann of Murphysboro, IL, step great grandson, Kaycee McCann of Murphysboro, IL. In addition, Winslow Heath Stearns – Grandma's next great grandson, on the way – Greenbrier, AR.

She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Leslie and Evelyn Gearhart, brothers, Lindell Wright, Austin Wright, Donnie Wright, Jack Gearhart, Robert Wayne Gearhart, and sisters Judy Meade, Millie McGrath, Jane Meadows, and Sharon Gearhart.

Joyce could often be found cooking up the most amazing meals you have ever eaten. She was known for her chicken and dumplings and mashed potatoes (which surprisingly are very difficult for some people to make – just ask her grandkids), and her fried chicken and old fashioned milk gravy. Her cinnamon rolls, pineapple squares, German chocolate cake and goulash are just a few things she made that were so amazing that people from Gorham and all around still contact us to get her recipes.

She also loved to scrapbook, make ornaments, travel with her family, especially her sisters on their annual beach trip. She was good at everything she put her mind to and did it to the best of her ability. The only time she ever really got perturbed was when you asked her "would you rather…….." Oh, and the times when we hid her car while she was in the gas station…….. and she wouldn't speak to us for the next several hours…….AFTER she finally found us!  Everyone knew not to bring those incidents up around her.

The most important thing to Joyce, however, was her faith in Jesus Christ. She loved to worship and attend church and sang anytime she had a chance. Her next joy was her family. She treasured her loved ones and they knew they were special to her. Joyce had time for people. She had time for serving - and when she didn't have time - she sacrificed it. She was a true picture of love and compassion. She will be missed her on earth, but we are rejoicing in knowing she is with her savior – where her heart has longed to be.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Abundant Life Church, Murphysboro, IL, with Rev. Jim Easton officiating. Burial will follow at Alto Pass Cemetery, Alto Pass, Illinois. Visitation will be at Abundant Life Church on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from Noon until 2 pm. Memorials may be given to St. Jude's or Hospice of Southern Illinois and can mailed in c/o Wilson's Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Ava, IL 62907.