Joyce Ann Douglas

1935 - 2013

Joyce Ann Douglas
Evansville, Ind.
Joyce Ann (Birdsong) Douglas peacefully passed from this life on Wednesday, January 3, 2013. She was 77 years old. She was surrounded by people she loved and who loved and cared for her.
Joyce had many interests and achievements throughout her life. She was an accomplished musician, playing the accordion, piano, ukulele and organ for the entertainment and delight of friends and family. She loved to dance, especially swing-dancing and prior to her latest illness, she and her husband, Wayne, could frequently be found wherever Steve Moehler (Little Mo) was playing big band music with his zoot-suited Atomic Two-Tone band. She was well traveled throughout the United States and lived abroad in both Germany and Okinawa, Japan.
She attended Columbia Grade School, St. Vincent's Academy and was a graduate of Central High School, class of 1953. Following high school, she secured a position with Trans World Airlines (TWA), attending the Kansas Airline School. After completing their program, she became a resident ticket agent in Indianapolis, Indiana and later in Los Angeles, California. Joyce worked in Civil Service for the U.S. Department of the Air Force while she was living in Okinawa, Japan, and for the U.S. Corps of Engineers at the John T. Myers Dam in Mt. Vernon, Indiana.
It was while working for the Corps of Engineers that she met Wayne. He was a clothing manufacturer's representative for women's designer clothing. After their marriage, Joyce also became a manufacturer's rep. Joyce was always known for her impeccable taste in clothing and this was a match made in heaven. Joyce offered lines of accessories including finer jewelry, scarves and assorted other items. This new adventure combined many things she loved - fashion, clothing, socializing and travel. Joyce and Wayne spent many years traveling around the country in their motor home for both business and pleasure but always maintained a residence in Evansville.
When they retired in 1984, Joyce saw an opportunity to continue working in the fashion industry here in Evansville. She and Wayne opened a small boutique store, Joyce's Ex$amples, first at the corner or Weinbach and Lincoln Avenues, but that was quickly outgrown and relocated to a larger store on Covert Avenue. She offered designer clothing from salesmen's samples, purchasing the season's latest one-of-a-kind designs from a network of representatives and former colleagues. Everything in the store was unique. Joyce considered every customer a friend and they felt the same about her; she never met a stranger. Joyce sold the store and truly retired in 1998.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Charles Wayne Douglas; and a sister, Doris Jean Birdsong, both of Evansville; nieces, Kathleen Joyce (Stephen) Payne, of Richland, Indiana, and Kimberly Lynn (Jerry) Chastain, of Mt. Vernon, Indiana; great-niece, Christina Leigh (Eric) Mills, of Evansville; and great-nephews, Matthew Clark Payne, of Evansville, and Jerry Lee Chastain, of Mt. Vernon; and aunts, Mary "Woody" Williams, of Benton, Illinois, and Mary "Pinky" Williams, of Christopher, Illinois. Joyce loved all her aunts, uncles, cousins and other family, but was especially close to cousins Fred Williams, of Evansville, and Jeanita Ann (Mervin) Spillman, of Benton, Illinois. She loved animals, especially her cat, Tiki, who will continue to keep Wayne company.
Joyce was preceded in death by her mother, Kitty Williams Birdsong Morgan; her father, Clyde Birdsong; her stepfather, William Morgan; and a stepson, Matt Douglas.
Cremation is being arranged by Pierre Funeral Home. No services are planned. A memorial celebration of Joyce's life will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank the staff at Parkview Nursing Home for their care, concern and kindness for Joyce.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, Joyce requested memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678 or online, www.stjude.org. Joyce also requested that everyone consider becoming an organ donor.
Goodbye dear heart . . . may your next road be smooth and full of the love you exuded here on earth.