Joyce Renee Kimball

Joyce Renee (Harmon) Kimball, age 58, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2019 at the James L. West Hospice Facility in Fort Worth, Texas, while in the loving arms of her husband, Bruce Kimball. The devoted couple had shared their 39th wedding anniversary the week before her passing. Joyce was born June 3, 1961 in Murray, Utah, to Dell Tolman Harmon and Veva Anderson as the third of six children. She is survived by her husband, Bruce, her daughter Aubrie of West Linn, Oregon, her son Steven and his wife Jessica of Shoreview, Minnesota, and her son Quinton and his wife Lyndsey, of Arlington, Texas. She is survived by her nine grandchildren: Brogan, Delaina, Alexander, Bretton, Kyler, Karina, Greta, Vienna, and Trier. She is also survived by her father, Dell, all of her siblings, Kirt, Connie, Robert, Neil, and Russell, along with many other extended family and friends who will miss her dearly. She was predeceased by her mother, Veva, who passed away in February 2016. Accomplishments Joyce had many talents that her loved ones have appreciated over the years. She was musically gifted and loved both performing and listening. Music let her express love to others in a way that can only be done through song. She was an excellent pianist. For years she taught piano lessons out of her home to dozens of students, whose lives she significantly impacted. Her family and friends would often ask her to be their accompanist in church services and on other occasions. Music was one of her most valuable treasures. She served in various church capacities, including Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, Relief Society President, Primary President, the Director of the Arlington Stake Nativity Display, and the calling that Joyce viewed as most desirable…Nursery Leader. Most of us would be overwhelmed facing a room full of 2-year-olds, but not Joyce. She loved it! She truly had a gift for teaching children. The assignment she found most fulfilling was being a Pathway Service Missionary alongside her dear husband, Bruce. It allowed them to help others obtain their education and change their lives. She taught and encouraged students how to conduct themselves and gain the life skills they needed to be successful. She relished each student's accomplishments because she knew how significantly it would impact the rest of their lives. Joyce began her undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University in 1979, completing only two semesters before Bruce asked for her hand in marriage and then, instead of continuing with school, opted to play the role of stay-at-home mom. After raising all of her children and helping them start their own education, she returned to school to finish her degree. Through BYU's Independent Study program, she took various online courses on and off for the better part of 10 years as she still maintained all of her other responsibilities and service. She felt that she holds the record for “the most enduring learner” as her education path took a bit longer than she had hoped. She finally received her hard-earned and well-deserved bachelor's degree in 2018. Interests Scrapbooking was Joyce's favorite pastime. She was very skilled at preserving the events and memories of loved ones, past and present. She wanted to enjoy every aspect of her life and then relive it with her creative way of using pictures and words to capture each moment. Joyce held a deep appreciation for the performing arts, as evidenced by her love of music and drama. She was always moved by a great story with heartfelt characters and a clever plot—add music to that, and you've just served up Joyce's preferred entertainment experience. Her pursuit of the proverbial fountain of youth via nutrition exposed us to fresh new ideas about health, inspiring us all to be more conscious about our diet, portions, and exercise. She liked traveling with her husband to see the beauty in the world around her. She enjoyed learning about other people, places, and cultures. Her all-time favorite place on earth was Hawaii. She loved Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ. Her innermost desire was to live a Christ-like life, as demonstrated by her regular worship at church and sacred temples. She relished these special occasions to uplift her spirit and bring her closer to God. Characteristics Joyce had several distinct and beloved characteristics; chiefly among them was her ability to selflessly sacrifice her time, means, and energy to improve the lives of others. Joyce would typically ensure that everyone else around her had their needs met first before giving any thought to her own. She was ever vigilant to her surroundings, seizing any real-life opportunity as a pertinent teaching moment. Such opportunities fit well with her “on-the-job” parenting style, as she taught her kids and grandkids about topics like following Jesus' example or how to look at a situation and make good decisions. She was often found heaping on praise to encourage those around her. Phrases like “I'm so proud of you and all the good things you are doing” were commonly expressed, and whether or not she knew the details of your life, that sincere sentiment went a long way to inspire that person to be just a bit better. She filled the room with energy and enthusiasm wherever she went and whatever she did. Most people would say that, when talking to Joyce, she'd make you feel like you were the most important person in the world. Joyce was exceptional in her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. She loved and was devoted to her husband, her family, her friends, and her God. Surrounded by her family, she led a happy, fulfilling, complete life in just a mere 58 years, accomplishing more in that timeframe than what many strive to achieve with a full life expectancy. Her three children and their posterity are her greatest achievement and living proof of the legacy of love she has left in the ripple effect caused by her influence in their lives. She will be deeply missed. God bless you, Joyce, until we meet again. Wade Family Funeral Home (817) 274-9233