Obituary of Joyce Marie Fulkerson
Joyce Marie Mills was born in Toledo, Ohio on February 16, 1952. She was one of five children born from the union of the late Gerald and Katherine (Raymond) Mills Sr. She attended Erie Mason High School.
Joyce met the love of her life, Willett Fulkerson, and the couple would marry in Erie on October 4, 1971. Together they would be blessed with five children. Joyce cared for the needs of her family as a homemaker. She would later take employment at Walmart for twenty years retiring in 2018.
Having a strong love for animals, Joyce spent many years raising and caring for peacock’s, quail, and guineas. She referred to the guineas as her, “rat pack,” because they were mischievous and would often chase people. Joyce also had a love for her beautiful snowball bushes and peonies, but the lilacs were her absolute favorite.
When her children were younger, Joyce enjoyed taking them auctions and garage sales. She felt like she had hit the lottery when she came across her coolest find, a ping-pong table. A collector of Indian dolls, Joyce also loved listening to country music.
Although Joyce could be stubborn and had no problem telling you like it was, she had an amazing heart. Her family was the core of her life. She made it a priority to make all the grandchildren feel special by getting them Christmas gifts and Easter baskets every year. Joyce had a very special bond with her two great grandchildren Carter and Carson.
Joyce Marie Fulkerson, age 69, of Temperance passed away peacefully on Saturday; April 24, 2021 at her home. She was surrounded by her family and had been under the care of ProMedica Hospice. In addition to her parents her passing was preceded by her parents, her husband: Willett; sisters: Jeanette Slaughterbeck and Pauletta Wilkinson; son-in-law: Bruce Bartley; and a brother: Gerald Mills Jr.
To cherish her memory she leaves five children: Rick (Jerri) Mills, Kittie (Chuckie) Sprouse, Wendy Fulkerson, Lori (Eric) Pfeiffer, and Jennifer Bartley; ten grandchildren: Ricky Mills Jr., Kaitlin Mills, Brooke Seifker, Michaela Dennis, Katherine Sprouse, Perry Bartley, Joshua Pfeiffer, Willett Sprouse, Blake Pfeiffer and Harley Pfeiffer; thirteen great grandchildren; and her furry Pug companion: Leo.
Friends may gather on Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 from 1:00pm-7:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Worship Service Celebrating Her Life will take place at 11:00am on Thursday, April 29, 2021 also at Merkle’s. Procession will follow to Erie Union Cemetery.
Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.