Joyce Anne (Doyle) Ginter

Today we invite you to a celebration of Joyce Ginter.  She was born in Boonville, MO, on June 15, 1947, and aptly named Joyce Anne by her parents, Helen and Cecil Doyle. The word “Joy” is a derivative of the name Joyce. It was as if they knew on the day she was born how much joy she would bring to the world around her.  She grew up in New Franklin and later raised her family in Franklin, MO.  In 1965, she was crowned Homecoming Queen at New Franklin High school her senior year and later married her homecoming king, Gary Ginter, that following year on August 6th, 1966.  It may seem a little fast to some, but “if you can; DO”.

Throughout her lifetime, she held many roles.  Uber driver to ALL between home and the fields, school, and sporting events.  And Chef by providing three meals a day for her family of seven; however, it didn’t stop there, as there was always an empty chair for those who would drop by.  She was a wonderful hostess; and met the challenge staying up all hours of the night banging and clanging pots and pans to whip up large, country meals enough to feed an army.  And her famous chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, and chicken and noodles seemed to be endless.

Joyce loved the outdoors, her roses, and the land; going on drives to any destination, near or far and reading.  Country roads were her favorite as she was a country girl at heart.  When Gary would come home sometimes after a long day in the fields, he would say, “let’s go” and she would go, dropping everything to round up the kids, and clothes and pack some quick meals for the impromptu camping trip. During her lifetime, she would tell her kids, “If you can; DO”.  She applied this motto to her everyday life. She was selfless and giving; kind and warm; ornery and funny.  She also loved to travel and, in addition to her motto of, “If you can; DO,” she also preached, “if you get a chance to go, GO.” She loved music of any kind throughout her life, up until the very end. At nearly the very first note, she would dance and sway uninhibited. One song in particular, “You are my sunshine” held a special place in her heart.  It was a song that Joyce would sing numerous times over the years to her family.  At the time, no one could have considered what an impact this sweet song would have on all of them.  In recent years, this song became a powerful tool in breaking down the barriers in communication when her family would return the gesture by singing it to her.  Music would take her to a familiar place that she never forgot.

 She worked various jobs outside the home.  Her favorite was at Central Methodist University where she soon became a surrogate mother to many.  She even accompanied a Mission trip or two for the school where lots of fond memories were formed. When you talked to her, she was invested fully. It was easy to see it in her eyes and smile.   She listened to your joys and your sorrows, reserving judgment.  She had a way of reading you and knowing if her feedback was necessary or if she just needed to lend an ear, so she was an excellent counselor as well.  Being a farmer’s wife, it was full of long days, short nights, and little praise.  It took insurmountable strength and resolve; yet she never complained.  If you knew Joyce, you were a friend for life and even more than that for she made everyone feel like family.   But her most coveted role was that of a mother to five, wife to one and Maw Maw to twelve grandchildren.  Her love was unwavering and unconditional and reverberated through her till the end.

She was fun-loving and often challenging her children and later grandchildren, in various tasks and games.  It was a common thing for the family to have “butt races” in the living room for which she was the reigning queen; and she would challenge the grandchildren to pick up various-sized rocks from her driveway (much to Gary’s chagrin) and take them to the Boonville bridge to see who had the best launch from the exact center of the bridge.  She didn’t make it easy with these challenges; probably because she knew they were up to the challenge.  She encouraged a little friendly competition that would always end up in laughter and joy.  It was the truest form of showing that she loved you and believed in you.  “If you can, DO”.

The celebration of Joyce’s life will continue through those who loved her most and have survived her and they include her husband of 56 years, Gary Ginter of Franklin, MO; her children, Travis Ginter (Libbie Breusch), Huntsville, MO; Tressa (Jeff) Wright, Lee’s Summit, MO; Taren (Richard) White, Columbia, MO; Tristy Ginter, Boonville, MO; Trent Ginter (Jessie Thurman), Franklin, MO.  Grandchildren include Taylor Ginter, Tara Ginter, Mackenzie White, all of Columbia, MO; Madison White, Fayette, MO; Thalen Wright,  Salina, KS; Tayla Wright, Lee’s Summit, MO; Gillian Pangburn, Treyton Ginter, Adler Pangburn, Taylee Ginter, Logan and Lane Thurman, all of Franklin, MO; Her sister, Gloria Lenox and nephew, Craig Lenox, both of Charlotte, NC. 

 What a gift she was and quite the lady. In the verse 1 Corinthians 16:14 it says, “Let all that you do, be done in Love”….THAT was Joyce.   Love was the cornerstone of everything did.  Loved filled the room as she passed on September 8, 2022, with Gary and their children by her side.

Visitation for Joyce will be held at Howard Funeral Home, Sunday September 11, 2022, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. with a celebration of life service to follow.

 In lieu of flowers, a donation made in Joyce’s name to Joyous Comforts would be greatly appreciated.  Our hope is that during this celebration and beyond, you will remember what a treasure she was to everyone who knew her. She will be loved and missed by all. And when that opportunity for adventure comes into your life no matter how big or small, we hope that Joyce’s words will echo in your heart, “If you can, DO”!

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