Joyce Anthony

Joyce Dean Spencer Anthony of Murphy, TX, age 91, formerly of Water Valley and Greenville, MS, passed away after a brief illness on December 12, 2025 at her home in Murphy, Texas.
Mrs. Anthony was born January 4, 1934, in Delta City, Sharkey County, MS to the late Ulner Dean Cooper Spencer and Willie James Spencer. She was a graduate of Delta City High School and attended Delta State University. Thereafter she moved to Greenville and began working for The Goyer Company, where she met the love of her life, Glynn Anthony, Jr. They were married on July 11, 1953.
While in Greenville, she was very active in Parkview Baptist Church, the Junior Women's Club, Junior Auxillary, the Greenville Garden Club and the Supper Club. She worked several years for Dr. Hand and Dr. Blaylock, and later as a medical transcriptionist at King's Daughters Hospital.
Survivors include son Tony Anthony (Melissa) of Murphy, TXand daughter Denise Purvis Keep of Memphis TN; four beloved grandchildren, Spencer Anthony (Kristen), Jonathan Anthony, Ben Purvis and Hannah Purvis; and three great-grandchildren Amelia Anthony, Lukas Anthony, and Katherine Keep; two sisters, Willie Ruth Savell (Harold) of Hendersonville, North Carolina; and Mary Ann Wood (Clyde) of Oxford, MS, and a host of nieces and nephews who loved their Aunt Joyce.
She was predeceased by her husband, Glynn Anthony, Jr., who passed away on November 20, 1990; her parents, and two sisters, Katherine S. Ingram (Garth) of Hollandale, and Doris Reedy (Rev. Guy), of Water Valley. The five sisters, whose ages spanned 20 years, were affectionately known as "the five Spencer girls" and were all accomplished homemakers with a flair for home decorating. An immaculate housekeeper, Joyce was also a great cook. She hosted family gatherings for over 50 years-a time for laughter, hugs and kisses, and sharing recipes. Two tables and a service bar were literally filled with no less than 20 dishes, from appetizers to desserts, carefully chosen to cater to everyone's palate. Several zip-lock bags were filled with left-overs for the children's return home.
Her laugh was contagious. Seldom did you meet Joyce that she didn't have a smile and a kind word for you. One of her great-grandchildren chose not to call her "Mama Joyce" as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren: Katherine renamed her "Happy Joyce". Joyce loved life, and her family and friends. In her later years she moved to Water Valley to be near Mary Ann and Clyde, then declining health brought further moves to her children's homes in Memphis and Murphy.
Joyce had a warm, caring heart; she was our friend and biggest supporter, and she will be missed beyond words. Her wishes were that you not grieve for her, but prepare to one day join her in Heaven. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Water Valley.
Services will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 beginning with visitation at 1:00 pm followed by the funeral service at 2:00 PM at the chapel of Mortimer Funeral Home, 711 Highway 82 East, and the burial at the family plot at Greenlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Baptist Children's Village, Post Office Box 27, Clinton, MS 39205, or a charity of your choice.
John 14:1-3
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."