Joyce Waller

Joyce G. Kirk Waller was born on July 24, 1937, to the late Paris G. Kirk, Sr. and the late Lillie V. Thomas.  She departed this life and went to her heavenly home on Saturday, May 5, 2018 after a lengthy battle with COPD.

Joyce grew up in the Union Valley community of Lonoke County.  She was baptized at an early age and remained faithful until her death.  She attended at least one year of elementary school in Chicago, IL (along with legendary R & B singer Lou Rawls) and she attended junior high and high school at Carver in Lonoke, AR. She married Robert Louis Waller on October 12, 1958; they were married for almost 60 years.  She took her vocation as a “preacher’s wife” very seriously and accompanied Robert wherever the ministry took him.  She served as a role model to the younger women of the congregation, taught Sunday school classes, Vacation Bible School and enjoyed participating in ladies’ retreats.  She found pleasure in co-counseling with her husband and was valued as a patient listener who gave loving advice accompanied always by scripture references.

Joyce’s first job outside of the home was as a domestic worker.  After moving to Lonoke, she worked for several years at Remington Arms to help fund band, cheerleading, and other extracurricular school activities for her children.  Later she became a licensed cosmetologist and both family and friends benefited from her meticulous skills as a hair stylist.  An exceptional seamstress, she used her sewing talents to make, mend, alter, and remake garments, draperies, linens, upholstery and crafts.

Family and friends were Joyce’s passion and delight.  She loved to host get-togethers at her home.  Her hobbies included growing house plants (She never met a sick plant she couldn’t revive.), cooking, and collecting what-nots….lots and lots of what-nots!! She enjoyed playing board games (especially Scrabble), card games, dominoes and word games. She was a master at solving crosswords and jigsaw puzzles thus earning the nickname “Puzzle Queen”.  Music genres she enjoyed were gospel, blues, and “old school” R & B.  Her favorite artist was Al Green.

She is preceded in death by both parents; her husband Robert L. Waller; her daughter DeLisa Carey; brothers Paris Kirk, Jr., David Kirk, Perry Kirk, and Robert Coffey, Jr.; and sisters Margaret Jones and Verneda Kirk Walters.

She is survived by her son Dr. Larry Waller (Maumelle, AR); daughter Phyllis (Cedric) Byrd (North Little Rock, AR); son Kevin (LaTora) Waller (Gainesville, VA); sister Evelyn Kirk Thompson; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; her loving, supportive West Central church family in Warren, AR; and countless lifelong friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 10, from 6:00-7:00 pm at the Boyd Funeral Home Chapel, 207 E 2nd St., Lonoke, AR.  Service will be held Friday, May 11, at 11:00 am at the Palm St. Church of Christ, 1115 W Palm St., Lonoke, AR.  Online guestbook, www.boydfuneralhome.net.