Joyce Rhoads
d. September 8, 2018
Joyce Rhoads
Joyce Simpson Rhoads died peacefully surrounded by family in Durham, North Carolina on September 8, 2018 at the age of 85. "The flowers are prettier in Heaven," was something she said in the last days before she passed, and she is no doubt enjoying them there.
Joyce is survived by sons Billy Rhoads (Lori), David Rhoads (Vicky), Paul Rhoads (Lijuan), and Ken Rhoads (Ilse). She is also survived by a brother, Winston Simpson (Martha), of Arkansas. She is survived by 5 grandchildren (Samuel Rhoads, Ethan Rhoads, Adrienne Rhoads, Erin Rhoads, and Andrew Rhoads) and 3 great-grandchildren (Odin, Finn, and Violet) and many cousins, nieces/nephews and other beloved family and friends.
She was preceded in death by parents, Oran Simpson, Clinton, AR; Maud Simpson, Providence, AR; stepmother Lillian Simpson, Clinton, AR; brothers Johnny R. Simpson, Andrews, TX; and Anthalone P. Simpson, Crane, TX.
Joyce was born on December 5th, 1932 in Judsonia, Arkansas to Oran and Maude Simpson. She began her studies in nursing in 1950 and graduated from a nursing school in Hot Springs (LPN) and from Baptist Nursing School in Little Rock (RN). She married Bill Rhoads in 1954. Joyce lived in the Cammack Village neighborhood where she raised her boys and worked in the nursing field, specializing in maternal/child care, for over 44 years.
Joyce's sons remember her as a having an indomitable spirit and felt her love and unconditional support no matter what. Joyce had many interests including gardening and photography and she leaves behind a legacy of a love for flowers in many lives that she touched.
She was a generous person who loved God and who was passionate about her family, her nursing career, and helping others. Joyce was an active and dedicated member of Unity Baptist Church and often volunteered her time there. She traveled on medical mission trips to locations including Romania, Kenya, Uganda, Honduras, and Mexico (where she went on multiple occasions).
Joyce served as a Sponsor for the MedLife Campus Ministry out of Unity BC for almost 20 years, attending Monday Bible Studies at the UAMS Medical School where she worked for so many years. She was still going last spring and the medical, pharmaceutical, and nursing students loved her (and her chocolate brownies she would sometimes bring).
A memorial is scheduled for 11:00 AM, Monday September 17th, at Unity Baptist Church, 1223 S. Garfield, Little Rock, Arkansas, with a reception to follow at the same location. Pastor Mark Harris will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Joyce's life.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Unity Baptist Church, 1223 S. Garfield, Little Rock, AR 72204, with MedLife on the memo line.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. Joyce's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
1223 S. Garfield
Little Rock, AR, 72204
Joyce is survived by sons Billy Rhoads (Lori), David Rhoads (Vicky), Paul Rhoads (Lijuan), and Ken Rhoads (Ilse). She is also survived by a brother, Winston Simpson (Martha), of Arkansas. She is survived by 5 grandchildren (Samuel Rhoads, Ethan Rhoads, Adrienne Rhoads, Erin Rhoads, and Andrew Rhoads) and 3 great-grandchildren (Odin, Finn, and Violet) and many cousins, nieces/nephews and other beloved family and friends.
She was preceded in death by parents, Oran Simpson, Clinton, AR; Maud Simpson, Providence, AR; stepmother Lillian Simpson, Clinton, AR; brothers Johnny R. Simpson, Andrews, TX; and Anthalone P. Simpson, Crane, TX.
Joyce was born on December 5th, 1932 in Judsonia, Arkansas to Oran and Maude Simpson. She began her studies in nursing in 1950 and graduated from a nursing school in Hot Springs (LPN) and from Baptist Nursing School in Little Rock (RN). She married Bill Rhoads in 1954. Joyce lived in the Cammack Village neighborhood where she raised her boys and worked in the nursing field, specializing in maternal/child care, for over 44 years.
Joyce's sons remember her as a having an indomitable spirit and felt her love and unconditional support no matter what. Joyce had many interests including gardening and photography and she leaves behind a legacy of a love for flowers in many lives that she touched.
She was a generous person who loved God and who was passionate about her family, her nursing career, and helping others. Joyce was an active and dedicated member of Unity Baptist Church and often volunteered her time there. She traveled on medical mission trips to locations including Romania, Kenya, Uganda, Honduras, and Mexico (where she went on multiple occasions).
Joyce served as a Sponsor for the MedLife Campus Ministry out of Unity BC for almost 20 years, attending Monday Bible Studies at the UAMS Medical School where she worked for so many years. She was still going last spring and the medical, pharmaceutical, and nursing students loved her (and her chocolate brownies she would sometimes bring).
A memorial is scheduled for 11:00 AM, Monday September 17th, at Unity Baptist Church, 1223 S. Garfield, Little Rock, Arkansas, with a reception to follow at the same location. Pastor Mark Harris will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Joyce's life.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Unity Baptist Church, 1223 S. Garfield, Little Rock, AR 72204, with MedLife on the memo line.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. Joyce's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
Service
SEP 17. 11:00 AM
Unity Baptist Church1223 S. Garfield
Little Rock, AR, 72204
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce Rhoads, please visit our flower store.
In light of increasing scams, all guestbook entries will now be approved by us. At Smith Family Funeral Homes, safeguarding the privacy and personal memories of your loved ones for family and friends is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and patience.
Guestbook
Visits: 20
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
