Joyce (Pearcy) Campbell was born in Upton, Mo., on Oct. 5, 1934, to Johnie and Maggie (Stilley) Pearcy. Four sisters and one brother completed this farm family down on Roubidoux Creek near Flat Rocks. Her older brother, Ray, taught her outdoor hobbies and skills, including rabbit and squirrel hunting, snaring sucker fish with her dad, milking cows, feeding pigs, hauling hay and learning to drive on a 1948 Jeep. Joyce also enjoyed riding her brother’s horse, Dixie, when she was younger. Well, at least until one day when she was bucked off onto a pile of rocks when a big black snake slithered spooking Dixie.
Joyce attended Prairie Point grade school, a little one-room schoolhouse. She attended Houston High School, where she described herself as the “little shy redhead” who played volleyball, basketball and softball all while wearing a “dorkey blue gym suit.”
Her “greatest day ever” came when the Pearcy home got electricity and running water for the first time when she was a senior in high school.
Joyce worked on her family farm throughout school, graduating in 1952. She was voted Most Outstanding Girl Athlete.
After graduating, she went to work at the International Shoe Company, working in the office as the Upper Leather Clerk.
In June of 1953, Joyce married Sherrell Campbell, and from this union they had three children: Dean, Sheila and Sharon. Surviving are her sisters, Sue Gaddis and Norma Ruth Pearcy and her children.
Dean is married to Theresa (Collins), they have two children: Josh and Abby. Josh is married to Aimee (Weldon) and they have two children: Mackinnon and Katelyn. Abby is married to Russell Gaither, they have one child: Kaden.
Sheila is married to Rick Walker, and they have two children: Shara and Seth. Shara is married to Wes Gamble, they have two children: Ella and Landon.
Sharon is married to Tom Tyger and they have three children: T. J., Allen, and Sheena. Allen is married to Bre (Merriott) and they have one child: Hudson. Sheena is married to Randell Postlewait, they have two children: McKenzi and Kendle. T.J. married Brandy and they had one child: Shayla; T.J. preceded his grandmother, Joyce, in death. Also preceding her in death were her parents; sisters, Maxine Brown and Mildred James; a brother, Ray Pearcy and husband, Sherrell.
When the shoe factory left town, Joyce didn’t work for a few years. She instead chose to stay home to care and play with her children. In 1963, she went to work at the Lee Plant until April of 1965 when she ran for city tax collector. Joyce was elected to the position, winning by only seven votes against four other candidates. She served in this position until 1971, collecting taxes and water and electric bills. She then purchased the Chatterbox Cafe, which she says was… “A mistake.” She sold the cafe in 1973 and worked at the Sears store until the end of the year.
Margaret Hiett was the mayor at the time and kept telling Joyce that the city was getting a new computer for utility billing and that she should come back to work for the city. She had to think it over for a few weeks, but ultimately decided to come back. Joyce learned to operate the new computer and served as the utility clerk until July 7, 1975, when the then city clerk got sick at work. Joyce, the police chief and two other city employees took her to the hospital, where she passed away four days later, after 23 years as the city clerk.
Joyce was appointed deputy city clerk that day to carry on business until the board could decide what action to take. About 10 day later, Mayor Hiett and the city council appointed Joyce as the city clerk. Taking on this new position, she said she was “scared to death.” Joyce was re-appointed to the position each year at the first meeting in May.
In 1985, Joyce received her certification as a city clerk of State of Missouri, after many a long nights educating herself and attending as many classes and seminars that she could fit in her schedule.
Joyce was very involved in her community, serving on numerous boards and assisting countless organizations, including: Clerk’s and Finance Officers of America, holding most officer positions during her time with the organization; Education Committee at University of Missouri, Columbia; treasurer of the Public Water Supply District 2 for 16 years; Houston Area Chamber of Commerce; American Legion Auxiliary; Piney River Trail Riders; and the Houston Garden Club.
Some highlights during Joyce’s time serving her community since 1974, which she was most proud of include the opening of the Houston swimming pool, the completion of Emmett Kelly and Westside parks, construction of the baseball fields behind Houston Schools, a $3.5 million grant to build the sewer plant in 1982, building of the maintenance facility, opening of the elderly housing in Houston, the construction of the airport, helping to organize the first Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast in 2003, and so much more.
About 30 years ago, Joyce made the statement that she wanted to work long enough to see Houston acquire three things: a new city hall building, a new fire station and a supercenter, all of which came true during her time with the city.
She said many times, “I know Houston has been good for me all these years, I only hope I have been good for Houston. I have truly tried.”
Joyce enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family, who all loved her dearly. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Services are 11 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2018, at Houston First Christian Church with Allen Tyger officiating. Burial will be in Pine Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Seth Walker, Mack Campbell, Weslee Gamble, Russell Gaither, Albert Foxworthy and Randell Postlewait. Honorary pallbearers were: Tom Tyger and Rick Walker.
Memorials may be made to Opportunity Sheltered Industries or Pine Lawn Cemetery.
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