Joyce Laverne Lewis

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joyce Laverne (VanBebber) Lewis on January 16th, 2025 at the age of 85. Joyce was born on October 4th, 1939 in Cowgill Missouri to Vernon Nicholas VanBebber and Opal Reva Bryant. She graduated from Central Highschool in 1957, two years later she married Jack Lewis and in 1961, she had her first child, Landon.  In 1963 she married Gene Sullivan in Atchison Kansas and had her youngest child, Laurel. 

For the majority of her life, she was a single, hardworking mother who spent her working career in accounting starting at American White Goods on Main Street in Kansas City and various other places including the administrative offices of Circle K, and ending at Superior Buick and Cadillac. She enjoyed spending her time playing cards with friends she met through work, bowling in a league with friends and family, and going to the casino. 

Joyce was a witty and sentimental woman with a good sense of humor who was devoted to her family, never missing out on a celebration, or piece of cake to be had. You would rarely find her without a poodle at home, or a unique memory or story to share.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Vernon Nicholas VanBebber, and Opal Reva Bryant, her brothers Ralph Randall VanBebber Sr., and Norman Wendell VanBebber, and her two grandchildren, David Jeffrey Ray, and Jennifer JoAnn Lewis. She is survived by her sister Linda Faught, her two children, Landon Lewis, and Laurel Hupp, her grandchildren, Brandon Lewis, Rachael Milliken, Mindy Lewis, Rebecca Baker, and Lucas Ray, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Services honoring Joyce will be held at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Road Kansas City, MO 64138 on Saturday, February 1st. Visitation starts at 10:00 am, followed by a memorial service beginning at 11:00.