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Joyce Whitaker Obituary
69, Glendale, AZ passed away on March 16, 2011. She was born in Lubbock, Texas. She was the daughter of Delton & Mildred Hampton. She retired from Maricopa County Hospital MICU after 20 years of service as a registered nurse. Sister, Wife, Mom, Aunt, Nana, Mamaw, and Friend are the names we called her, but rarely Zumma. Joyce has been a cheerleader to all who crossed her path and encouraged each of us to be whatever we desired and strived for. She saw each of us a beautiful/handsome, smart, and talented so we loved floating in her orbit. She was the sun to our many planets, all made hospitable by her warmth, acceptance, and inclusion. She never met a stranger but that they were made family and brought in to the fold. We will miss you so much and carry your warmth, humor, and strength in our hearts today and always. Joyce is survived by many including her beloved husband Bill. Siblings Mark, Kenneth, Larry Hampton and Tanya Holland. Daughters: Sabrina Vales, Mitzi Garcia, Tammy Smith, and Kim Kane. Son-in-laws: Chris Smith, Fred Garcia, and Brian Vales. Her precious grandchildren: Breanna and Brandon Vales; Jacob, Joshua, and Nicole Smith; Sabrina, Andy, and Ben Garcia. As she always said, "be blessed", and so we are. Services will be held Monday March 21st, a viewing at 10:00 am with services at 11:00 am, at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N. 59 Ave., Glendale, 623-937-9297. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley.
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Memories and Condolences
for Joyce Whitaker
Kim Montgomery
March 14, 2023
Oh my goodness I sure do still miss you Aunt Joyce. You somehow always made me feel good about myself. As a new mom when you´d pop by with some kind of fun find for us and to just check in was always perfect timing like I needed a boost of some kind from an experienced non-judgemental Mom.
Randy Niehoff
April 9, 2011
She will be missed very much. I remember when we went sled riding in the alley in Murdo. What an awesome memory of her. She had more fun than us kids. Just a super person in every way. Rest in peace.
Mary Hampton Howe
April 3, 2011
I remember the time Kim and I came home from school and I was informed that Kim was going to be playing "the oboe". What was an oboe, I asked Aunt Joyce in my fourth grade innocence? "Oh, I can't tell you what an oboe is", she replied, "your mother would be very upset with me if I told you what an oboe was". And so of course, you can imagine where that took my young wandering mind.........down a road of the forbidden, secrets of life that I was too young to know about--LOL!!! She loved to laugh and make others laugh with her. I will love you always my dear sweet Aunt Joyce. Thank you for leading me to Jesus as a young child and continuing to be my spiritual mentor throughout my life--I will try to honor your memory and pass along your wisdom to my children, grandchildren and neices and nephews.
Mary Hampton Howe, Clemmons, NC
Aaron & TJ Huber/Rattling Leaf
March 21, 2011
Blessings be upon you in your time of need.
Bill, Kenda Huber & Family
March 21, 2011
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Uncle Duane and the rest of the family as you grieve the loss of a wonderfully amazing woman. Aunt Joyce will be missed my all. May the Lord's blessing be upon you, and may His hands heal your hearts. We love you all so much!
Barbara Rastello
March 21, 2011
I loved "Aunt Joyce" from the moment I met her. She was a joy to spend time with in the past. Wade told me how special she was to him and when I met her I knew why that was so true. She will be missed. God bless you all and my prayers are with you.
Wally and Carmen Elrod
March 21, 2011
Although we can't be there in person, please know that we are there in thoughts and prayers for our precious family.
May God hold you in the palm of his hand today and all of the days to come.
With love to you all.........
Wally, Carmen, and family
Cindy Smith
March 20, 2011
My thought and prayers are with you.I was blessed to work with Joyce for many years, what a sweet wonderful woman, who will surely be missed. God bless you
Wayde Kline
March 20, 2011
As a new RN I thought I knew it all until I stepped into the MICU at Maricopa Medical Center and realized I knew nothing! But Joyce was one of the nurses who took me under her wing and showed me the ropes. She was kind, gentle, and patient. And she sounded just like Patsy Kline when she sang! Thank you, Joyce. You touched many lives, including mine.
Margaret Buckley
March 20, 2011
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
March 20, 2011
Our deepest condolences go out to each of you. WOW~! WHAT A WOMAN. Much love to you now and always, Dan, Cindy, Zach , Austin and Hannah Miller
Cliff & Renee Cressy
March 20, 2011
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Andy Miner
March 20, 2011
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Don & family, Etta Montgomery
March 20, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Kim Montgomery
March 20, 2011
Your Mom's encouraging ways went far beyond probably what we'll ever really know. I remember especially a time when I was a new Mom and I was really afraid I wasn't doing it 'right'. She showed up with a book and encouraging words right away and that made all the difference.
Her Fun and Funny ways probably went far beyond our knowing also. However I do have an especially funny fond memory of she and I craving a snack while waiting for your Dad and my husband to decide what we wanted to do for dinner. We somehow 'got' the idea that banana sliced into rounds with monterey jack cheese on them and melted in the microwave would be an excellent snack.... The guys kept telling us that would be really a bad idea, that it wouldn't taste good, etc. Oh the fun we had preparing the snack. Giggling and imagining just how delicious it was going to be, we even shouted into the other room to the guys that they wouldn't be allowed to have any because they had given us such a hard time...... minutes later revealed a really exciting moment when we realized melted cheese and hot banana is NOT a good snack.... But that is where the fun really began we made a really big deal about how delicious this snack was while we were delicately placing them in the trash.... Later we confessed and had yet another one of those wonderful laughing times that seemed so common when your Mom, Wife, Mammaw and our Aunt Joyce was near.
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