Joyce Almeda Stibbs

Joyce A. Stibbs

TRAVERSE CITY – Joyce A. Stibbs, age 91, of Kewadin, passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at the Munson Hospice House in the loving care of her family.

Joyce was born on February 28, 1927 in Buchanan, Michigan to the late Archie Cleveland and Myrtle (Boyle) Morley.

Joyce married the love of her life, and high school sweetheart, Donald Wayne Stibbs in Buchanan on June 2, 1946. They had two sons; Robert Wayne Stibbs in 1950 and James Wayne Stibbs in 1951.

Joyce and Don raised the two boys while running the family business, Stibbs' 5 cents to 5 dollars in Buchanan and Three Oaks. They carried a wide range of merchandise including fabric, ready to wear clothing and toys. She was instrumental in the success of the business. Together, Joyce and Donald retired in 1984.

Joyce was very talented and gifted. She loved to knit and sew. She made beautiful gifts for friends and family including 40 flannel shirts for her son Jim. She also made booties and hats for newborns and little doll sleeping bags for pregnancy centers. She was always willing to help those in need and made many sleeping mats for the homeless through a program with her church. Stained glass was also a favorite hobby of Joyce, and she eventually did work for others on commission. She made everything from lamps to window lights to night lights.

Joyce and Donald loved to travel. One of her favorite adventures took her on an African safari. She also liked to ski and loved visiting Aspen. New Zealand and Australia were two other favorite locations. Although not her favorite destination, she also enjoyed their travels to Nepal. In addition to travelling, Joyce was a great competitor in cribbage. Joyce enjoyed cooking, swimming, skiing, sailing, and gardening. She was a "yes" person, any game, adventure, or project, you could always count on her to be there to play or work. Above all else Joyce cherished her family. She loved caring for them, making them gifts and spending time with them. She will be greatly missed.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 71 years, Donald, sons; Robert "Bob" (Julie Dunn) Stibbs, and James "Jim" (Juliann) Stibbs, grandchildren; Ryan Stibbs, and Carey (Isaac) Tafelsky, great grandchildren; Trudy Stibbs, and Alexander Tafelsky, niece, Joan (Robert) Fein, step-great granddaughter, Charlotte Drumm, and nephew Kim (Joan) Moyer.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and sister Lorraine (John) Moyer.

Funeral services for Joyce will take place at the Kewadin United Methodist Church on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 with a visitation beginning at 9:30 am until the time of the service at 11:00 am. Pastor Howard Harvey will officiate. Immediately following the service there will be a procession to Maple Grove Cemetery in Elk Rapids where Joyce will be laid to rest. Family and friends are all invited back to the church following the graveside service for a luncheon.