Joyce Brown, age 64, of Malvern, died Thursday night, January 17, 2008, in St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center in Hot Springs. She was born on March 20, 1943 in Traskwood, Arkansas to the late Lester and Uda Almond Miller. Reared and receiving her early education in Hot Spring County, Joyce later earned her LPN Certificate from Ouachita Technical College. Prior to her nursing career, Joyce operated a beauty shop in Leola for 10 years. She and her family moved to Malvern from Leola in 1987. Joyce was a Baptist by denomination. She loved to sew, to make crafts, and to garden. Everyone knows what an animal lover Joyce was. Her dogs were all pampered and spoiled, and will miss her terribly.

She is survived by her husband, Roy Brown, to whom she was married on December 23, 1958 in Carthage, Arkansas; by two daughters, Sherry Fryar of Poyen, and Debbie Gilliam and her husband, Mike, of Texarkana, Texas; two brothers, George Miller of Monticello, Georgia, and Cleatis Miller of Malvern; by two sisters, Joann and her husband Vernon Byrd of Malvern, and Sandy Miller of Mayflower; and by four grandchildren, Jordan Jackson, whom Joyce raised, and his wife Amanda, Aaron and Andrew Gilliam, and Brady Fryar, and a great-grandchild, Avery Jackson.

Joyce was also preceded in death by a brother, Wesley Miller.

Her funeral will be held at two o'clock Sunday afternoon, January 20, 2008 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Brothers Roger Hall and Kevin Spurlin officiating. Interment will follow in Leola Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: David Rea, John E. Jones, Don Koch, David Sargent, Jeff Jones, and Darren Hardy.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Dr. Larry Brashears, Linda Brashears, Raymond Ray, Arlie Daniels, James Burl Miller, and John Allan Funk.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Saturday evening from five until seven o'clock.

We invite you to leave a message for the family. We are concerned for the privacy of our client families and want you to know that your message to them is secure. Please send your message email to J.A.Funk Funeral Home.