Joyce Barbara Barber

On Friday January 26, 2024 Joyce Barbara Barber exhaled her last earthly breath while surrounded by those who loved her. Then she fully and easily inhaled her first breath in glory with Jesus.
Joyce (Gagala) was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 25, 1947 to Arthur and Zanib ("Kitty" Mustuffe) Gagala. She was raised there with one sister, Sharon (Carbary). It was in Detroit, perhaps at an ice skating rink, where Joyce met the love of her life, Paul Richard Barber.
Joyce and Richard were married on July 22, 1967. Their love story included adventures that allowed them to live in Thailand, Washington, and Massachusetts when Taylor or Holt, Michigan was not "home" to them. After years of travel with Richard's career, they chose to settle down together in a beautiful home in Swartz Creek. Their continued wanderlust was satisfied in our beautiful state where they enjoyed camping and exploring as many lighthouses as possible; their favorites being Crisp Point and Port Iroquois Lighthouse in Brimley, Michigan.
Theirs was a simple life filled with simple pleasures and an immense love for each other. A hobby they became passionate about was antiquing which allowed both to expand unique collections with Joyce's including china place settings that she hand selected piece by piece over the years. Another past time, although Richard wasn't much of a gambler, was found in his acceptance of Joyce's affinity for the "penny slots". They enjoyed the frequent "perks" of her winnings that often included free dinners or overnight accommodations throughout the different Michigan casinos.
Joyce and Richard expanded their family to include three children and seven grandchildren. The grandchildren were the high light of their lives as the known legacy to live on for years to come. After the devastating loss of her precious Rich on November 19, 2015, the grandchildren became Joyce's focus. Attending their sporting events, band concerts, plays, and church activities helped to soothe the ache in her broken heart. Family dinners, holiday celebrations, and church activities (especially those that included her special "Sacred Friends" group) were what anchored her in her life without Richard.
Joyce will be remembered for what she is known for by many: a person of fierce loyalty, deep love, dry sense of humor, and with a generous nature that was easily and often expressed toward those in closest contact to her.
Preceding Joyce in death are her precious husband Rich, her beautiful daughter Dee, her parents, aunts and uncles, sisters in law, and her silly pup "Gizmo".
Joyce will be greatly missed by her beloved son Daniel and daughter in law Amy Barber with grandsons Troy and Nicholas; daughter Shari Barber-Scott (Troy) and grandsons Christopher and Bradley Hall; grandchildren Cameron, Caleb, and Emily Johnson; loving sister Sharon and brother in law Don Carbary; nephews Jim and Dennis White; cousins and many friends including the Sacred Friends group.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on February 8, 2024 at the Perry Church of the Nazarene, 3100 Ellsworth Rd., Perry, MI 48872. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 PM until the time of service. Continued fellowship immediately following the service at the church. A later, private, cremains internment will be scheduled with Great Lakes National Cemetery.
Donations in Joyce's name are encouraged in lieu of flowers to Fisher House Foundation.
"Your memory is a keepsake, with which I'll never part. God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart."
Arrangements are entrusted to Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.watkinsfuneralhomes.com.