Joyce Jones

Joyce Jones (nee Heide) passed away April 27, 2025 at the age of 89. She is survived by her husband of 70 years Bevan Jones, her children Judith (Albert) Elliott, Rhys (Sandee) Jones, Jorlene (Richard) Thiessen, her grandchildren Tristan (Terri) Elliott, Shannon Jones, Carina (Nolan) Ens, and her great-grandchildren Samuel and Alice Elliott, and Antigone Ens.

Joyce was born in Hepburn, Saskatchewan in 1936 to David and Justina Heide. She was the youngest of four siblings, sisters Della and Ruby, and brother Milton. Her earliest childhood memories were of the importance Christian faith held in their home, with twice daily devotions and prayers involving the whole family.

Joyce’s father frequently moved their family across Canada and the U.S. while he alternated between pastoring churches, and building houses or farming, to support their next trip. Joyce helped her dad with carpentry and spent long, back-breaking days picking potatoes and strawberries, or hoeing mint to help support the family financially.

During Joyce’s teen years, her family continued to travel and hold evangelistic meetings. Joyce completed all the required courses of her high school education by correspondence in one year, while performing with her family at these services as they all sang and played instruments. Joyce played banjo and mandolin, and became the proud owner of her most prized possession, a Gibson guitar. Joyce accepted Christ as her Saviour when she was a child, and was baptized when she was 14.

After Joyce’s family eventually settled in Washington state, Joyce and Bevan started dating and were married in 1955 at the White Horn Mennonite Brethren Church in Ferndale, Washington. May 6, 2025 would have been their 70th anniversary.

While Bevan completed his education at Briercrest and Prairie Bible colleges in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Joyce took care of their first child, Judith. After Bevan graduated, they moved to Vancouver where they became involved in their local church while waiting to be accepted as missionaries to Japan. Their second child, Rhys, was born during this time, and although their missionary plans fell through, they soon accepted a call to pastor a small church near Wainright, Alberta.

Assisting her husband in ministry, Joyce overcame her shy nature and fear of public speaking, and was involved in leading Bible studies and women’s ministries. They would go on to pastor churches around Alberta: in Devon where Jorlene was born, Grande Prairie, Strathmore, Barrhead, Edmonton and Fox Creek. People from each of their pastorates have expressed the immense influence Joyce and Bevan had on initiating and nourishing their faith in Christ, which was always the overriding purpose in Joyce’s life.

Joyce found many ways to share her faith with those around her. In Strathmore she combined this desire with her love of needlework, for several years selling embroidery supplies to women in the community. Joyce led several women and their families to faith in Christ through this outreach.

Music was another way Joyce ministered to others. She and Bevan often sang duets, while she accompanied them on her guitar.
In addition to carrying out her church ministries, being a homemaker and raising three children, Joyce occasionally worked outside the home in a children’s clothing store, a carpet shop, a bakery, and as church secretary.

After 35 years pastoring churches, Joyce and Bevan chose to retire in Olds, Alberta to be near their children and grandchildren. They immediately became involved in the First Baptist church, where Joyce played her guitar with the music worship team. They quickly made new friends in a town where they didn’t know anyone, and Joyce soon joined a senior’s bowling league.

Joyce and Bevan became known as “the walkers” in their neighbourhood, maintaining their physical fitness by completing their route around the park twice a day. Before a hip replacement, and several broken wrists and shoulders took their toll on her strength, Joyce was always ready to participate in physical activities, tending large vegetable gardens, hiking in the mountains with family, or playing a game of baseball or floor hockey with church groups.

Joyce also loved playing games. Whether it was outdoors playing lawn darts or croquet, or indoor table games like croquignole or dominoes, Joyce’s competitive side emerged. Throughout their lives, Joyce and Bevan regularly got together with friends for game nights, and family visits often involved playing games.

All of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with friends and even complete strangers have been the recipients of Joyce’s love in the form of things she created with her hands. She was prolific at many kinds of handwork: sewing, needlework, knitting, and crocheting. One of her most notable accomplishments was crocheting a wedding dress for her daughter, Judith. Joyce also knitted hundreds of sweaters from donated yarn throughout her retirement, that were sent to kids in overseas orphanages and the Ronald McDonald House in Red Deer. Many children’s lives were positively touched by her charitable endeavours.

Joyce also loved to bake, and her chocolate chip cookies and freshly baked buns were famous. Every December, she baked large trays of Christmas treats which she sent home with each of her children, and shared with church and community friends.

Joyce enjoyed an active, productive life until the past few years when her health and mobility slowly deteriorated. Bevan was an immense help to her, taking over many of the household chores. Joyce continued to cook meals and knit sweaters for charity, and always…they walked.

Joyce maintained her faith and the habit of daily devotions that had been ingrained in her youth, spending time reading the Bible and praying each day. The past few years, she was ready and waiting to be with her heavenly Father whom she served so faithfully throughout her life. Her family is eternally grateful that God heard her prayers to take her home quickly, without the pain or suffering she feared.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made directly to Samaritans Purse
Indicate “Joyce Jones Memorial” when donating at Samaritan’s Purse.
By phone: 1-800-663-6500
By Mail: Samaritan’s Purse
20 Hopewell Way NE
Calgary, AB T3J 5H5
Online: Email info@samaritan.ca after donation indicating Joyce Jones Memorial.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 5226 – 46 Street, Olds, Alberta. Phone: 403.507.8610

• Date : 2025-05-14
• Location : (Olds) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com