Joyce Stephenson

Joyce Ann Stephenson, 73, of Simpsonville KY, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025. Joyce was born July 1, 1952, in Louisville KY. She was daughter to the late James Henry Winters and Bessie Burkhead Winters.
Joyce was a graduate of Southern High School Class of 1970. She went on to study at University of Louisville where she earned her Business Degree. She worked at Bell South as a supervisor, an office manager at Stephenson Eye Center, and as a scrub technician at Liposuction Institute of Louisville. She was member of The Filles Inc., as well as a member of the Jefferson County Medical Society Women's Auxiliary. Joyce would say, however, her most important job was managing the Stephenson household.
Joyce was a devoted wife. She met and then married Fred, the love of her life, in 1972. Together they built a wonderful life traveling all over the world and had shared love of everything sun and beach. Joyce also enjoyed scenic road trips on the back of Fred's motorcycle. Many of these rides included their good friends of the Bluegrass Motorcycle group.
Joyce was a beloved mother and grandmother. When it came to family Joyce poured out her love with family traditions. She enjoyed working in the kitchen and making her delicious southern dishes. An avid gardener, Joyce spent many springs and summers growing vegetables at her home and then spent the fall canning them. During the holidays family and friends could always count on Joyce to bring her famous green beans and chess cake to each occasion. She always made it a point to celebrate her family for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions. She loved her grandsons more than anything and attended every baseball game, birthday, or school function they had. She was beaming with pride while watching them grow up over the years. Her grandma name is "Beamie" which is so fitting for her. She was a "ray of sunshine", a "beam of light" as her smile, laugh and love would light up her grandsons' day.
Joyce loved to entertain and host parties at her home. Family and friends were always greeted by her with open arms and her great big smile. Joyce was always up for a fun celebration including cookouts, singing, pool parties or a backyard firework shows. Singing, dancing and music were a huge passion for Joyce. Her basement was her Karaoke entertainment space where she and her friends would gather regularly and belt out tunes from yester-year. Some of Joyces' best performances were "All the Leaves are Brown", (the Mamas and the Papas) and "Crazy" (Patsy Cline).
Joyce was a faithful woman of God and a member of Southeast Christian Church for over 40 years. It was there she met lifelong friends, and they formed a group of "prayer warriors". To this day, her prayer warriors love, support and pray for one another unwaveringly through all of life's ups and downs.
Joyce had so many extended friends and family whose lives she has touched in such a positive way over the years. She will be incredibly missed by all who loved her.
She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 53 years, Dr. Fred Stephenson; her sons, Dr. Jeff Stephenson (Amy) and Jeremy Stephenson; and her beloved grandsons, Harper and Asher. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Hilda Franklin.
Visitation on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 2:00 – 8:00 pm at Ratterman Brothers East Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, KY 40243
A Service of Remembrance will be held Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 2:00pm - Southeast Christian Church "Chapel in the Woods", 1407 Moser Road, Louisville, KY 40299
Memorial contributions may be made to; Home of the Innocents, 1100 East Market Street, Louisville KY 40206.