Joyce James

Joyce Marie James, born May 7, 1941, to the late Leighton and Mary Dickerson, passed away peacefully and was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on August 11, 2025. She was surrounded by her family and special friend and caregiver, Ruby Jordan.

She married the love of her life, Thomas James, on January 6, 1959. They spent 47 years together, until Tom passed away on September 4, 2006. Tom and Joyce moved to Yale in 1975 where they raised their family. Her greatest joys in life were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, shopping, gardening, planting flowers, and spending summers at the family cottage.

In the early years, Joyce was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, Roseville, where she taught Sunday School and played the piano. In later years, she became a member of Orchards Community Church, Bruce Township. Joyce was Lynn Township Clerk, a Real Estate Agent and worked with Tom at State Farm Insurance for many years.

She could often be found playing the piano and singing with Tom, reading her Bible, and living out her Christian faith. She touched many lives and left an amazing legacy for her family and friends. She always wanted to share the love of Jesus and wanted nothing more than all of her children and grandchildren to know the Lord.

Joyce is survived by her 4 daughters: Pamala Barc, Kimberly James, Jennifer & Terrence Gillay, Michelle & Matt Schroeder, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren: Josh & Chelsea James (Caden and Zachary), Krista & Brenden Stevens (Breslin, Hazel and Joshua), Tim & Stephanie Ketelhut (Elliot and Tucker), Jessica & Connor Hogan, Melissa McKillop, Sarah Gillay, Kayla McKillop (Lincoln), Jimmy & Anna Schroeder (Keaton), Kelly & Noah Terpening (Cooper and Ralphie), Nick Schroeder and Jeremy Schroeder, and many nieces and nephews whom she adored as well as good friends, Shirley Lathrop and Larry & Mary Joe Burns.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandson Derek, siblings: Cecil, Carl & Joann, Mamie and Big Jim, Jewell & Bill, Roy & Teena, great-niece, Laura Lehman, and nephews, Jim Gillim, Cliff Addis and Dave Collins.

The family honors the memory of Joyce and invites you to visit and share memories Thursday, August 14, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Orchards Community Church 74903 McKay Road, Bruce Township. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday with 10:00 a.m. visiting at Orchards Community Church. Pastors Jeff Hossler and Jim Jordan will officiate. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Yale.

A special thank you to Blue Water Hospice.

Memorial donations can be made to Pregnancy Center of Lapeer in memory of Joyce James.

Arrangements by Muir Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center, 2650 S. Van Dyke-Imlay City, MI 48444.