Joyce E. Jepson, age 88, of Durant, passed away Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28, at Bentley Funeral Home, Durant. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Durant Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Durant Community School Education Foundation. Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
Joyce was born on June 29, 1936, the daughter of Charles and Dorothy (Sarver) Dyche in Walnut, Ill. She graduated from Walnut High School in Walnut. Joyce married LaVerne “Ike” Jepson on Aug. 21, 1955, in Walnut. Ike passed away on Aug. 31, 2014.
Joyce was a loving caregiver, always present for her grandchildren’s school activities and sporting events. She especially enjoyed baking, with her apple pie being a favorite among family and friends. Over the years, Joyce worked as a waitress at Porky’s Maid-Rite in Durant and later as a secretary at Pioneer Seed, Durant, but her true calling was being a homemaker and babysitting her grandchildren. She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Durant Women’s Club and served as a past Campfire Leader, helping shape the lives of many young girls. Most of all, Joyce’s greatest love was her family.
Joyce will be dearly missed by her four children, Lana Jepson, Kevin (Pam) Jepson, Shawn Jepson, and Darcie (Scott) Jehle, all of Durant; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Nancy Jane Gribaudo; one sister-in-law, Nancy Dyche; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Ike; two brothers, Charles and Larry Dyche; and two sisters, Marilyn Yucus and Shirley Thrasher.
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