Throughout her rich and rewarding journey, Joyce Carr lived a life of purpose while holding her loved ones near to her heart. As a longtime resident of the community she loved, she was the sort of woman whom everyone seemed to know. Joyce was a devoted family woman who was filled with unspeakable joy. She witnessed her family tree blossom to include the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who filled her life with such happiness. Life was not without times of trial for her, but she faced whatever came her way with both grace and courage that was to be admired. Although she will be deeply missed, Joyce leaves behind a brilliantly colored mosaic of memories that will remain a lasting treasure for years to come.
The 1930s were primarily defined by the Great Depression. These were dark days when jobs became scarce, the unemployment rate soared, and countless American families found themselves without homes. Despite the struggles around them, Benjamin and Marie (Christiansen) Bartlett were pleased to announce the birth of their baby girl named Joyce Marie on October 29, 1932. Born and raised in Benton Harbor, Michigan, she was the youngest of three children. She was raised in the family home in Rothbury, on Bartlett Street, which was named for her family, alongside her siblings, Ben and Dorothy. Sadly, Joyce's mother died when Joyce was just a young girl of four, which left her to be raised single-handedly by her father. In addition to holding down her studies, Joyce worked in her father's sawmill, Bartlett's Sawmill. Joyce's high school years found her at Montague High School, and she went on to graduate in 1950. After graduation, she and some of her classmates took off on Route 66 for a post high school adventure. Joyce then attended Muskegon Junior College and Central Michigan University.
Not to be forgotten during her years as a young woman was Joyce's introduction to the man of her dreams. His name was William Carr, and they met at the Girdle Road School in Greenwood Township, where Joyce was working as a teacher. They didn't meet by chance, as he heard of a good looking teacher at the school and went to see her for himself. At that time, Bill was the sheriff in Oceana County. Before getting engaged,they enjoyed going on dates, taking Joyce's prized Nash Rambler. They were married on November 6, 1954, in Rothbury, Michigan, deeply in love.
After returning home from their honeymoon, Bill and Joyce resided at the Oceana County Jail Sheriff's Residence and she became the chief cook, dispatcher, and deputy at the Oceana County Jail In Hart, Michigan. Together Joyce and Bill were blessed to welcome three daughters, Suzanne, Dinah, and Kelly, and one son, William, into their hearts and home. The Carrs continued living in the sheriff's residence and also at the cottage at Juniper Beach in Mears. After Bill retired, the family moved into their home on Riverside Drive in Hart. On their 41st wedding anniversary, November 6, 1995, Joyce was deeply saddened with the death of her beloved husband.
In addition to caring for her family, Joyce kept busy in other ways. She worked as a supervisor with the Protective Services Department with the Oceana County Department of Social Services. When Joyce retired, her coworkers brought in a live goat from the farm to her office. Her coworkers all laughed at this and remarked, "We finally got her goat!" Joyce was an avid reader who also enjoyed birdwatching and cheering for the Detroit Lions. When Halloween came around, she was affectionately known as the "Hot Chocolate Lady" since she handed out hot chocolate to all the trick or treaters of the Riverside Drive neighborhood. Joyce had one of those personalities that drew others near, and over the years she was known as "Gram" to many children. With a contagious zest for life, Joyce also enjoyed traveling and shopping.
Vibrant, vivacious, and fun-loving, Joyce Carr was a blessing to everyone she met. She worked hard, but she played hard, too. Joyce was a loving wife and devoted mother who just may have argued that being a grandmother was her greatest gift and her richest reward. Although she will be deeply missed, she leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on.
Joyce Marie Carr, of Hart, died on Sunday, November 22, 2015. Joyce's family includes her daughter, Kelly (Bob) VanSickle of Fountain; son, William 'Bill' (Candace) Carr of Plentywood, MT; special daughter, LuAnn Dyke of Mt. Pleasant; four grandchildren, Vanessa (Josh) Shirey of Fountain, Mandy (Wayne) Highland of Hart, Robby VanSickle of Fountain, Beau Stemen of Coosbay, OR; two great grandchildren, Braeden Johnston of Montague, Wyatt Shirey of Fountain; special nephew, Bruce (Pat) Plumhoff of Cowetta, OK; one sister-in-law, Mary Bartlett of Fremont, several nieces and nephews; and grand dog, Mya. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William; two daughters, Suzanne Carr and Dinah Carr; one grandson, Ben Stemen; one brother, Ben 'Skip' Bartlett; and one sister, Dorothy Erpenbach. The Funeral Service for Joyce will be Tuesday, December 1, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Hart Congregational United Church of Christ, 408 S. State St., Hart, MI with Pastor Shirley Heeg officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Mears Cemetery. The family requests that any memorial contributions be directed to the Hart Area Public Library, 415 S. State St., Hart, MI 49420.