Mrs. Joyce Arliece Jordan

Joyce Arliece Jordan (née Boykin) died peacefully in Upland, CA on October 6, 2018 (exactly 29 years and 1 day from the death of her beloved husband, Lawrence T. Jordan) at the age of 85 years old.

Joyce is survived by her children, Audrey, Jennifer, Steven, Lisa, Eric and Michelle; her son-in-law, Reuel T. Gaskins, and daughter-in-law, Manuela Testolini Jordan; her grandchildren, Jordan, Monique, India, Grace, Curtis, Lucia, Luna, Lawrence, Julian, Maxwell, Lauder & Lorne; and her sisters, Dorothy Brooks and Alma Booker; and a host of other family in California, Wisconsin, Alabama, Georgia and several other places around the country.

Joyce was born on August 15, 1933 in Whistler, AL to Willie & Pauline Boykin. She graduated from the Mobile County Training School in 1951. She married Lawrence Turner Jordan in 1954. After moving to Milwaukee, WI during the Great Urban Migration, Joyce worked part-time in several different jobs over many years including the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, JC Penny, and Milwaukee Public Schools. Her full-time job and most valued role throughout her life was that of mother and wife.

Joyce was a dedicated member of St. Matthews Church CME, in Milwaukee, WI. While at St. Matthews, she was a member of the Chancel and Inspirational choirs, and the Ida Mae Black Missionary Society - Mary C. Turner Missionary Circle. She was also a member of the New Jubilee Community Choir in Milwaukee. Joyce loved God and music and passed that love of God and music onto her children. As a senior citizen, she became a volunteer for Meals on Wheels; she was beloved by many of the elderly she visited, often receiving gifts from them in exchange for her outpouring of love and kindness.

Joyce had an indomitable spirit! In May 2010, she tragically suffered a massive stroke which doctors believed was life-ending. However, they did not know Joyce Arliece! Soon after the stroke, she learned to walk again, and through much hard work and therapy was able to communicate with minimal speech. When she could no longer be supported in her own home, Joyce’s children co-located so that they could all support her and each other for the last 5 ½ years of her life. She fought a brave and good fight for many years; eventually she required 24-hour professional care. And yet, Joyce still had days when she sang, and she smiled, and she enjoyed the company of her children, family, friends and caretakers to the end of her earthly life.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11 am on October 22, 2018 at St. Matthews Church CME, followed by internment at Wisconsin Memorial Park; a repast will follow at the church. All are welcome to attend and celebrate the life of Joyce Arliece Jordan. Please send donations in lieu of flowers to In a Perfect World to support a water well for women in Malwai, Africa in Mom’s honor. The family would especially like to thank:

• The “Boss” to Mom’s “Champ” – her sister-in-law, Mrs. Jean Nash


• Faith Mitchell, Leatta Jones, Lula Mays, Nicole Muex, Jennifer Jackson, Yvonne Kennedy Harris, Bridget Cocroft, and Kimberly Alvizo for spending time with her and taking good care of Mom


• Columbia St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center, Milwaukee WI


• San Antonio Regional Hospital in Upland, CA


• The wonderful staff at Villa Mesa Care Center who took care of our mom and us for her last years


• Mrs. Ana Tapley, Mom’s roommate and guardian angel in her last year at Villa Mesa


• The Graceful Palms Hospice Care staff who supported Mom and us in her final days


• All the many friends of Mom’s St. Matthews extended family who sent cards and called and visited and never stopped encouraging and praying for her


• In a Perfect World for the beautiful dedication of the water well in Malawi