Joyce M. Sells

Joyce M. Sells, age 76, passed away to be with the Lord on Friday, Feb. 16, 2007 at 7:00am in her home with her husband by her side. Joyce was born in East St. Louis, Illinois to Ray and Gladys Wayne on July 31, 1930. She has an older brother, Ray, who lives in Houston, Texas. Joyce graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School and Southwest Baptist University. She taught English as an adjunct Professor at SBU and substituted in the Bolivar schools. Joyce became a believer in Jesus Christ and member of the Rosemont Baptist Church in East St. Louis. Through the years, she was active in youth and music ministries in her church and region. Following her graduation from high school, she worked for a law firm in St. Louis, MO. On June 2, 1951, she married Jim Sells who was also a member of the Rosemont church and had lived in East St. Louis through much of his youth. Not long after their marriage, they moved to Carbondale, IL. for Jim to attend Southern Illinois University while Joyce worked at the Academic Dean's office. Studies were interrupted for Jim's time in the Army during the Korean War. They returned to Carbondale where Jim served on the staff at SIU after completion of his degrees. While there, they were active in a small church in Carbondale. The experiences at Rosemont and Carbondale helped shape a foundation for their continued faithfulness to the local church, Southern Baptists, and the larger Body of Christ. They moved from Carbondale to New York City where Jim completed his graduate studies at Columbia University. They as charter members helped form the very first Southern Baptist Church in that city and attended faithfully. While Jim taught and coached at Columbia and a city school, Joyce continued to raise and care for their first two children, Jan and Scott. They all moved to the University of California, Davis where Jim was a faculty member and coach. Joyce loved Davis in much the same way she would develop a deep affection for Bolivar. In Davis, they helped form and construct the first Southern Baptist Church in that city. Five years later, they moved to Buffalo, NY where Jim served at the University of New York as an administrator. Again, they had the opportunity to help a pioneer Baptist Church. Each place they went, Joyce was active in nearly every aspect of university life and work. In 1965, they moved to Bolivar, which became home. Joyce continued her active participation in many aspects of the church and served happily as church Librarian. Together, Jim and Joyce served at Southwest Baptist University for 27 years. Daughter Jan was born in East St. Louis, lives in Warrensburg and teaches at the University of Central Missouri. Her husband David, also from Bolivar, is a family physician. They have four sons; Justin of San Francisco, Cook or Morris, MN, Drew of Kansas City and Spencer of the home. Son Scott was born in Carbondale, IL and is a judge in Colorado Springs, CO. He married Nancy Johansen, formerly of St. Louis and Bolivar and a SBU graduate. They have a daughter, Jenny and Sons Sam and Jake. Ben was born in Sacramento, CA and serves as Vice President of Advancement at Taylor University in Upland, IN. Ben, a SBU graduate, married Lisa Mullen of Oklahoma who is a SBU graduate. They have daughters Emily and Abby, and sons Patrick and Tyler. Jane was born in Buffalo, NY. She graduated from SBU and married a SBU graduate, Tim Siebert of Pilot Knob, MO. He is executive Director of Development at Drury University. They have a daughter, Sara, and two sons, Seth and Silas. The Children are all active and faithful in their churches, largely a tribute to their home church in Bolivar and the faithful way their mother Joyce worked in and served the Church with complete joy and love. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am, Monday, Feb. 19, 2007 at the First Baptist Church of Bolivar with Rev. Billy Russell officiating with a Eulogy by Pat Baker. Congregational Songs will be the "Lord's Prayer" and "Amazing Grace" being led by Steve Whisler and the pianist will be Bill Brown. Burial will follow at Crestview Memorial Gardens in Bolivar. Pallbearers will be Justin Glover, Kasten Glover, Drew Glover, Spencer Glover, Sam Sells and Patrick Sells. Attendants will be Emily Sells, Abby Sells, Seth Siebert, Jenny Sells, Silas Siebert, Tyler Sells and Sarah Siebert. There will be a visitation from 2-5pm, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007 at the Butler Funeral Chapel, Bolivar, MO. The family has requested donations be made to the Joyce M. Sells Scholarship Fund c/o Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO., or to the Central Cancer Care Center c/o Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, MO. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Joyce M. Sells

July 31, 1930 - February 16, 2007