Joyce Watson

Joyce was born March 18th, 1936 in Walled Lake, Michigan to parents Harold and Ruth Eberly. In 1950, Joyce, her parents and older brother, Earl moved to Florida. Joyce married James Patrick Watson on October 4th, 1961. Following in her mother's footsteps, she earned her CNA. She used it in various capacities, one being serving as a home health aide. Over the years she made her patients feel like dear friends and family. She took care to maintain a close, strong-knit family for her two daughters: Sunday dinner and frequent get-togethers with her mother, brother and the many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. She continued the Sunday dinners throughout her life, creating an important tradition for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She called Florida home until 1995, and after her husband's passing, she decided to be closer to her kids and moved to Nebraska, later settling in Marshalltown, Iowa in 1998. She spent these later years caring for her mother and grandchildren. Joyce always had a room for family for as long or as little as they needed. She was a loving, safe harbor to many of her family members. She was instrumental in the caretaking of many of her great-grandchildren. Family, friends and God were an important part of her everyday life. She attended Grace Church, formerly Evangelical Free, of Marshalltown for 20 years. She enjoyed camping trips, frequent card games, books and Friday lunch dates with her daughters.  Joyce is preceded in death by her loving husband Jim, her parents and her brother, Earl.  She's survived by her children: Susan (Gary) Collins and Cynthia Cantrell and her grandchildren: Shawn (Alicia) Collins, Heather Collins, Jennifer (Brian) Berg and Diane Cantrell. Also left to mourn her are great-grandchildren: Dillon, Debra (Trevor), Derek, Trixie, Colton, Tyler, Kylen, Myles, and great-great-grandson, Trevor Jr. She leaves behind many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.  A service celebrating Joyce's life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 13th, 2021 with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. The funeral is located at Grace Church of Marshalltown, 3111 South 6th Street, Marshalltown, Iowa with Pastor Bob Kosbau officiating. She’ll be laid to rest with her husband Jim at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell Florida on Monday, October 18th, 2021. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Jean and her family. For those unable to attend, services will be available at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell-Family-Funeral-Home-99280714047/ .