Joyce Jenkins

Mrs. Joyce Jenkins, 73, of Indianapolis, formerly of Fountain City, passed away on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at Westview Hospital in Indianapolis.


She was born February 25, 1936 in Anderson to Kathleen and Roger Phillips. Vaughn and Frances Surber adopted her and raised her in Alexandria, where she graduated from Alexandria High School in 1954. She married Robert Rex Jenkins on May 29, 1954. This union was blessed with 4 children and spanned 24 years before Rex's death on November 28, 1978.


Joyce graduated from Ball State University in 1966 with a degree in Art Education. She opened the Art Department and formed the Damsels while at Northeastern Jr.-Sr. High School, and contributed greatly to the success of the school's annual Variety Show for many years. She was a member of the Hillcrest Baptist Church and Fountain City Wesleyan Church.


Joyce moved to Indianapolis in 1994 to be close to her youngest daughter. She enjoyed the final years of her life doing her favorite things including babysitting her twin granddaughters, reading her Bible, painting, and shopping. All the while, she waged a long battle against cancer and was taken by complications related to her treatments for lymphoma.


Joyce will be missed by her daughters, Kristi Blevins and Staci Fahlsing; son and daughter-in-law, Ken and Mary Jenkins; 8 grandchildren, Mysti Maddox, Ryan Pigman, Renee Pigman, Robby Jenkins, Ross Jenkins, Samantha Fahlsing, Mia Vanegas and Emma Vanegas; and her brother & sister-in-law, Don and Barbara Lydy.


Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Rex Jenkins, and her son, David Andrew "Andy" Jenkins, who passed away on November 14, 1979.


A funeral ceremony will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, at the Smith & McQuiston Funeral Home, 321 South US 27, Fountain City. Interment will follow in Willow Grove Cemetery.


Family and friends may gather for visitation from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, at the funeral home.


Memorial contributions may be sent to Northeastern Music Boosters, 7295 North US 27, Fountain City, Indiana 47341.