Joyce Marie Brenneman LeMasters, of Lakeland, Fla., died on Dec. 18, 2023, at the age of 71, after complications following a difficult heart surgery.
She was characterized by a joyful spirit. Even as a child, her family gave her the nickname “Joybell.” This defining trait is a testimony to the fruit of the Holy Spirit in her life. For many years she poured much of this joy into worship, faithfully leading the selection and execution of the music and playing piano at Cornerstone Baptist Church. She loved God and was saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Joyce leaves a legacy of dedication, passion and kindness that touched the lives of many.
Joyce is survived by her husband of 51 years, Bill LeMasters; daughter, Joanna; son, Andrew (his wife, Meghan); grandchildren: Penelope, Nora and Theodore; siblings: Judie Garifine, of Long Branch, N.J.; Joseph Brenneman, of Larwill; Jim Brenneman, of Winona Lake; John Brenneman, of Winona Lake; and many members of extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents: Orlo Brenneman and Thelma Brenneman, both of Winona Lake; and eldest sister, Janet Wingrove, of Leicester, N.C.
Born in Scottdale, Pa., on April 4, 1952, Joyce was the fourth of six children born to the Brenneman family. In 1964, they moved to Winona Lake, where she met her future husband, Bill, through a mutual friend in 1968. Joyce graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 1970 and attended Grace College. She and Bill married in December of 1972. They moved to Lakeland, Fla., in 1988, with their baby daughter, Joanna, and became owners of a home business Auto-Tach. In 1990, they welcomed their son, Andrew; they homeschooled both children. In 2006 Joyce began working at Southeastern University, most recently as Operations Coordinator. She also completed a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 2011 from Southeastern University.
Joyce passed into the presence of the Lord, no longer seeing as in a mirror dimly, but now face to face with Christ, knowing fully, even as she had been fully known. Though she is deeply missed, her family celebrates her new fullness of joy and complete healing, and they anticipate their soon and sure reunion.
A memorial service will be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Lakeland, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 11 a.m. It will also be livestreamed and viewable here: https://www.youtube.com/@cbclakeland.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to A Woman’s Choice via https://supportawc.com or Cornerstone Baptist Church via https://cbclakeland.org