Joyce V. Hammons, 69, of Novinger, Missouri passed away unexpectedly on February 27, 2023. The daughter of James Paul & Betty Anne (Young) Hammons, she was born on November 27, 1953 in Kirksville. Growing up on the family farm she was assigned chores but found membership in the Novinger Town & Country 4-H Club much more fun. Joyce made life-long friendships while attending the Novinger R-1 School where she participated in several activities and organizations and graduated with the Class of 1971. Joyce began college in Kirksville then transferred to the University of Arizona before returning home when her mother passed away.

Over the years she was employed at the Thousand Hills State Park, the Arizona Department of Health, the March of Dimes, Old Towne Clothing, and Party Mart as well as working on the family farm, but her favorite time was spent volunteering in organizations to benefit her hometown. Joyce served in various roles within the Novinger United Methodist Church which she attended from age six months until the time of its closing in 2021. She served on the Novinger Housing Association Board for more than twenty years. In addition, Joyce joined Novinger Renewal not long after its inception in 1986 and hardly a project or event happened that she wasn’t a part of – from adopting-the-highway to co-chairing the annual craft festival bake sale. She loved her hometown and wanted to help make it a better place in which to live.

Joyce loved history and genealogy. She was proud that her family had donated the log cabin to Novinger Renewal and spent a lot of time helping with the restoration process, giving tours, cleaning it, etc. Joyce felt strongly about saving the historic structure when the Methodist Church closed and was among the congregation leading the campaign to find a way to preserve it. She loved visiting with people and could remember area residents and family connections from long ago.

Sadly, Joyce lost several family members at an early age - her mother in 1974, her father in 1988 and brother Larry in 2009. Joyce is survived by a sister, Beverly Hammons and husband Preston Wilson, niece Emily, nephew Paul, two great-nephews and a great-niece, all of New York State. Also surviving are a maternal aunt, Henrietta Darnel, of Blue Springs, Missouri, many cousins and a host of long-time friends.

A memorial service will take place on Sunday, July 16 at 2:00 p.m. in the former United Methodist Church, 606 Davis Street, in Novinger. A private interment will take place at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville. Memorials are suggested to Novinger Renewal, P.O. Box 24, Novinger, MO 63559.