COLUMBUS
Joyce Wever (Sears) Gray, 80, of Columbus, passed peacefully into eternal life on Saturday, November 16th, where she was welcomed by her loving Savior, Jesus, and many friends and family who had gone before her.
Joyce was born on September 19, 1944 in Bedford, the daughter of Duard Wever and Ruth Hawkins Wever.
She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, and she embraced that gift throughout her life, as a worship leader and choir director; she also participated in several different singing groups, which, in recent years, included the Nightingales and her church choir at Free Methodist Church in Bloomington.
She enjoyed attending Southern Gospel Music concerts, playing cards and games, and shopping for antiques. She cared for others and never missed an opportunity to give a thoughtful gift or card to show her love.
A loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, she most enjoyed time spent with her family and friends whom she treasured so dearly. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy of love, care, and faith will continue in the lives of those who knew her.
Joyce is survived by her son, Barry Sears of Columbus; daughter, April (Brent) Whitson of Hope; grandchildren, Barry (Eron) Sears of Indianapolis, Kyla (Erick) Ramirez of Columbus, Bryce (Bree) Hyden of Seymour, Grace Whitson of Hope, and Faith Whitson of Hope; great-grandchildren, Hayden, Xavier, and Anakin Sears, Christelle, Rilian, and Regulus Ramirez, Winston and Claire Hyden, and Nikolas Rincon Whitson; sister, Wilma Johnson of Peoria, AZ; sister-in-law, Marcia Wever of Indianapolis; and several dear nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Duard (“Gene”) Wever; sister, Betty Taylor Simmons; and brothers-in-law, Victor Taylor and Jim Johnson.
Family and friends may gather for visitation from 12-2 p.m. Friday, November 22, 2024, at Mt. Healthy Community Church. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Ogilville. A second visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Bloomington Free Methodist Church. A celebration of life will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday at the Free Methodist Church with the Reverend Deron Colgan officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mt. Healthy Community Church or Main Street Hospice.
Arrangements were entrusted to Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home.
Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com.
