Mrs. Joyce Jean (Wallace) Favors

Joyce Jean Wallace Favors was born in Louisville, Kentucky, the first child and only girl of the late Sammy Lee Wallace Sr. and Martha Winters Wallace on November 15, 1950. At an early age, she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior and became an active member of Christian Liberty Missionary Baptist Church in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Joyce graduated in 1968 from the Tipton Street High School in Kosciusko with honors.

She was conferred a Bachelor of Science degree from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi in Speech Communication in 1971. She taught for several years at Mary Holmes College in West Point, Mississippi, as well as directed the Black Arts Theater Guild. Moving to the state of Illinois, she continued working in her chosen field and related educational curriculum fields in the Chicagoland North Shore Suburbs of Evanston, Skokie, and Deerfield. Wanting to go even further with her educational achievements, Joyce enrolled and completed the necessary work that enabled her to receive a Master of Arts degree from Northwestern University with a major in Oral Interpretation in 1972.

Along the way to establishing and meeting career goals, Joyce met, was romanced by, and married her lifetime partner and love of her life, Samuel L. Favors on June 14, 1975. Together they were blessed with love, happiness, and bliss for almost 44 years. His love and attentiveness made her remark many times during her prolonged illness, "I don't know what I would do without Samuel. He takes such good care of me."

In her early years of marriage, Joyce began a job association with Garret Evangelical Theological Seminary through their Religious Education Curriculum Laboratory and with The Institute of Black Religious Research. This led to the position of Project Coordinator for The Church and The Black Experience at Garret. It was during this association with Garret that God steered Joyce in a new direction and once again she pursued another graduate degree, a Master of Christian Education in June of 1979.

Joyce's knowledge, personality, ability, steadfastness, and dependability caused her to be in demand for many short term positions over several years. She worked with the United Methodist Publishing House, Shalom Education, and Child Service as consultant and/or coordinator. She returned to Garret when the position of Adjunct Field Education Supervisor was offered to her.

On June 1, 1981 Joyce became Director of Christian Education at St. Mark United Methodist Church. Many new and innovative programs were initiated under her direction. Most popular was the Disciple Bible Studies which are still being carried on today. She directed Vacation Bible School and the After-school Summer Program; Coordinated the church school; Devised Leadership Training and Orientation for the ministries of the church; Taught Confirmation Classes and encouraged her students to seek God and study His Word; Developed and improved many of the ministries that have made an impact upon the church. Her enthusiasm was infectious to all with whom she came in contact. Her knowledge of the Bible and Scripture was outstanding. She immediately would give an answer to the question, "Where in the Bible can I find ...?"

Joyce gave her life in service to God. She glowed with her love and trust in God's divine plan for the salvation of the world. She knew her part in making it come true. To all she encountered, she showed the meaning of God's Love by the love she gave --- a constant, eternal, unwavering loyal love. This is the legacy she leaves for now to her beloved husband, Samuel L. Favors; Her brothers, Sammy Lee Wallace Jr. (Clarice) of Waukegan Illinois, and Pastor Henry B. Wallace (Valerie) of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; Her brother-in-law, Larry Favors, Her nieces - Stacey Williams, Sasha Wallace, and Samartha Jones; Her nephews - Sammy Wallace lll, Quincy Wallace , and Anthony Wallace; Her nine great-nieces and nephews; Her uncles - LB Winters, Henry R. Winters Jr., and Kenneth C. Winters Sr. (Brenda); Her aunts - Malinda Winters, Nellie W. Tolliver, and a host of cousins and friends.. Rest in Peace Joyce, Thou Good and Faithful Servant

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette~ Funeral Director  

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