Mrs. Bouchillon

December 31, 1929 - January 25, 2011

Joyce Esther Goodin Bouchillon was born on December 31, 1929. On February 14, 1948 she married Jimmie Bouchillon and shared 62 ½ years together and had five children: Jim (Judy); Mike (Janie); and Randy (Jane); Tara (Ronnie) Puckett of Louisville and Angie (Darrin) Webb of Pelahatchie, Mississippi. Grandchildren include Rachel Nance, Katie Bouchillon, Rea Burton, Heather Bouchillon, Julie Burt, Ginger Puckett, Niles Puckett, Stefanie Powell, Sarah Webb, Jimmie Webb and Thad Webb. Great-grandchildren include Kelsey and Isaac Burt, Sam and Bryce Nance, Gavin Burton, and Grayson Powell. Her sister is Thelma Roberts. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie and her brother Clinton Goodin. Joyce passed from this life on January 25, 2011 at her home. She was a loving wife, mother, dairy farmer and friend. She was an investor—not the kind who works in a bank or on Wall Street. She was the kind who invested in people. She was interested in the lives of others—their accomplishments as well as their struggles. Her jellies, pecan pies, and caramel cakes were tangible (and delightfully edible) tokens of her love and affection for others. Her interests included growing flowers and she delighted in an opportunity to fish and shared that love with her family. Mama always said if she had gone to college, she would like to have been a writer. She never wrote a book but God allowed her to write a page in the life of each person who made her acquaintance. Those pages are filled with funny stories, generosity, encouragement, and an enjoyment of life while working hard. She exemplified hard work and endurance. She showed respect and honor for the almighty sovereign Lord Jesus Christ who allowed her to endure cancer for years beyond man’s expectations. His strength carried her through those battles; she would want you to know that. She was not a perfect mother, wife, or friend; there are none of those. She was a human being who tried to do the best she could by God’s grace and asked Him for forgiveness for those things for which she failed. She has added many happy memories to the pages of each of our lives. Oh, how we will miss her. But, our sadness must be tempered by the fact that her struggles are over. She placed her faith and trust in Jesus Christ at an early age. Her perfect life has now begun. At Daddy’s passing, some of us were speculating on whether there will be fishing in the crystal river of heaven (Rev. 22:1). If there is, I am sure she is asking for that job right now. She would hate to be idle! Smile . . . she wanted us to. She was ready to see her Savior and serve Him there also.