Joyce Elliott

Joyce Elliott, 79, of Topeka, entered into eternal rest on January 4th, 2019 in St. Mary's, KS.

Joyce was born July 13th, 1939, in Topeka, KS to Chester and Beulah Robinson. Joyce was a graduate of East Topeka Junior High and Topeka High School. In recent years she was an avid organizer of East Topeka Jr. High Reunions. Joyce was a lifelong resident of Topeka where she met her beloved husband Bill while he was stationed at Forbes Field Air Force Base. Joyce was married to William "Bill" Elliott on June 4th, 1961. They remained in Topeka and raised 4 children.

Joyce managed different restaurants and offices during her life but is fondly remembered by all who knew her as their Tupperware lady. Joyce was a Tupperware dealer for many years, eventually becoming a Manager who consistently had some of the top sales in the region, earning her many trips and vehicles during her time with Tupperware. Joyce was a lifelong doll collector, collecting hundreds of dolls over her lifetime. She belonged to 2 different Topeka Doll Clubs, making many friends and attending numerous doll and teddy bear conventions throughout the Midwest. Joyce was a member of Highland Park Christian Church, which became Highland Heights Christian Church, where she remained a church member.

Joyce will forever be remembered by her family that survives, including 3 daughters, Michelle Durkes (Kevin) of Topeka, Patti Elliott (Donnie) of Topeka, Lisa DeDonder of St. Mary's, and her son Darren Elliott of Olathe, KS. She is also survived by her sister Beverly Kesler (Gordon), of Topeka, her grandchildren whom she adored more than anything, Tara, Brandon, Clayton, Alyssa, Justin, Kendra, Kasey, Will, Cody, and Ashley, and her Great Grandchildren, Alaina, Aidan, Austin, Ava, Ashton, and Nora, and numerous cousins and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband William "Bill" Elliott, her parents, Chester and Beulah Robinson, brothers, Lawrence Robinson and Duane Robinson, sisters, Margaret McDermott and Dorothy Barth, and her grandson, Riley Pfannenstiel.

If you knew Joyce you know how much she loved being surrounded by her children and grandchildren, her love of country music, family and travel. She loved attending musical events, dance recitals, theatrical performances and sporting events her grandchildren were involved in. She was happiest when she could share her hobbies with her children and grandchildren. Many summers were spent on family vacations to Branson and to Kentucky where Bill's side of the family was from. She enjoyed going to Silver Dollar City, craft shows, and country music shows while in Branson. She looked forward to seeing Bill's family in Kentucky every summer and continued to make the trip for as long as she could even after Bill passed away. She also looked forward to the Robinson family picnic in Topeka every year, lunches with her sisters and cousins, and taking trips across the country with her cousins June, Shirley and Florence. Family meant everything to Joyce.

Joyce's love of country music meant countless trips throughout Kansas and the country to see her favorite artists in concert. She especially loved Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, and George Jones. Her love of country singer Loretta Lynn once found Joyce in a recording studio in Nashville, TN recording her own version of Coal Miner's Daughter. She was also extremely fond of country singer Aaron Tippin, so much so that she developed a writing relationship with him and his mother and they would exchange Christmas cards every year. Aaron autographed the little bobbin dog, like in his song, that adorned Joyce's dashboard of her minivan. Whenever she would show up to one of his shows he would always take time to greet her.

Joyce never met a stranger. She would open her home to anyone who needed it. Friends of her children knew they could always come to Joyce's house whether it was to just hang out, grab a bite to eat, or just passing through. She always made everyone feel welcome and made sure they left well fed, and often times sending them on their way with extra cookies and candy she had made by hand. Making Christmas cookies and candy was something she especially loved doing every year, and she loved making Christmas special for everyone around her. It was her favorite holiday and she went above and beyond every year to make it special.

The family will receive friends during a visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 6th & Gage.

Following the burial service at Memorial Park, the family will host a celebration of life luncheon for Joyce at The Clubhouse at Rose Hill Place, 3600 SW Gage, #91, Topeka, KS.

Memorial contributions may be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice, 3715 SW 29th Street, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66614.

To leave a special message for the family please visit the guestbook below.