Joyce Billings Luster's Obituary
JOYCE BILLINGS LUSTER, 91, formerly of Memphis, Tn., passed away on March 18, 2019, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Leatrice Joyce Billings was born August 20, 1927, in Jackson, Mississippi, to Leo Lavert Billings, Sr. and Clennie Sevelle Billings. She graduated from Central High School in Jackson in 1945 and attended North Mississippi Junior College. Joyce worked at Capital Motors Company where she met James Harold Luster. They were married on July 3, 1948. Her husband’s employment moved them from Jackson to Little Rock, AR., to Greenville, Ms., before settling in Memphis where they raised their family. They also lived in Atlanta, Georgia, and Baltimore, Maryland.In Memphis Joyce attended Colonial Park Methodist Church, First Evangelical Church, Bellevue Baptist Church, and Faith Baptist Church. She volunteered at Love Worth Finding, a ministry of Dr. Adrian Rogers for over 13 years and served as secretary for the Bill Gothard Institute in Memphis. Other volunteer activities included Brownie and Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and Bible Study Fellowship group leader. She attended Precept Bible Study and Community Bible Study.In 2011 Joyce and Harold relocated to Ooltewah, TN, where they were residents of Garden Plaza, Morning Pointe and the Bridge at Ooltewah Assisted Living facility. Joyce made her final move to The Atrium at Serenity Pointe, Hot Springs, Arkansas, in July, 2018.Joyce was a faithful Christ follower, a loving mother, grandmother and friend. Throughout her life, she was an example to her family as she faithfully served and cared for numerous friends and family members into their old age.Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 68 years, brothers: Leo Billings, Jr., Luther Billings, Millard Billings, sisters: Evelyn Seibert and Elaine Gatta. Joyce is survived by: son, James (Buddy) Luster, Jr. (Judy) of Ooltewah, Tn.; daughter, Michelle Luster Smart (Steve), Hot Springs, Arkansas; and son, David Luster (Vickie) of Shelby, Ohio; 13 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.Funeral services will be held at Memphis Memorial Park Funeral Home Chapel on March 23 at 2:30 with visitation from 12:30 to 2:15. Entombment will follow at Memorial Park Mausoleum with James Luster, Jr. officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Love Worth Finding ministries. Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119, 901-767-8930. “A Fitting Farewell for Everyone”.
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