Joyce E. Barkley

Joyce Elaine Barkley, age 85, of Olivet passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2020, at Flower House Assisted Living in Nashville, Mich. She was born February 7, 1935, in Charlotte, the daughter of Eaton and Vera (Whitbeck) Thornton.
Joyce graduated from Olivet High School in 1953. Joyce married Jack Barkley in 1962. Together, they raised a beautiful family at their home in Olivet. Joyce was a meticulous housekeeper. On Saturdays, you would always find Joyce in the kitchen baking for her family. Her mincemeat cookies, pecan pie and peanut butter fudge were a few of the children’s favorite recipes. In her spare time, she and Jack enjoyed traveling, square-dancing and playing games.
Joyce is survived by her children; Jack Barkley of Olivet, Joe (Mary) Barkley of Olivet, Debra (John) Maxwell of Olivet, Candace (Mark) Venske of Texas, Shelly (Rex) Mann of Olivet; special niece, Bonnie Stansbury; 15 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack Barkley; daughter, Connie Wooten; daughter-in-law, Judy Barkley; great-grandson, Jackson Dotson; brothers, Kenneth (Virginia) Thornton, Carl (Zelma) Thornton; and sister, Ina (Leonard) Post.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, with Pastor Steve Byrens officiating. Interment followed at Bosworth Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Joyce’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 16th Floor, New York N.Y. 10001. To view Joyce’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.