Joyce LaVerne Bissell, age 85, of Center Point, Ark., went to her heavenly home on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Nashville, Ark., following a short illness.
Born, June 25, 1939 to Ray McKenzie and Edna Gaither McKenzie Bissell in Holly Grove, Ark., she spent most of her formative years in Chico and Sacramento, Calif. She and her siblings were adopted by her stepfather, Glen Bissell, when he married Edna in 1946.
On Sept. 28, 1958, she married John D. “Pete” Bissell and they made their home in Center Point. They were married for 50 years before Pete passed away in 2009. A longtime member of the Center Point Church of Christ, she more recently was a member of New View Church of Christ in Center Point.
LaVerne was a ‘Proverbs 31’ woman, cherished by all who knew her for her faith in God, devotion to her family, and love for her neighbors. Her greatest pride was her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Nothing pleased her more than to have all her extended family together under one roof.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings Lucy Weatherford, Donald Bissell, and Alma Sullivan.
Survivors are her children, Denise (Fern) Marin of Ft. Worth, Texas, Ken (Renee) Bissell of Searcy, and Brenda (Dennis) McCrary of Nashville; sister Glenda Evans; grandchildren Brandi Phea, Jonathan (Rachel) McCrary, Michael (Lindsey) McCrary, Jennifer Morrow, Olivia (Thomas) Stafford, Aaron (Rachael) Bissell, Zach (Sara) Bissell, Alex Marin, Julie Marin and Nick (Brandi) Marin; and 19 great-grandchildren. Among her host of friends were two special ladies, Barbara Yates and Doris Coulter, and neighbors Paul and Sandra Kemp.
Services will be held on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 1:30 p.m. at the New View Church of Christ in Center Point with Ken Bissell officiating. Burial will be at the Center Point Cemetery under the direction of Nashville Funeral Home. Visitation is Wednesday, Nov. 13, 6-8 p.m. at Nashville Funeral Home.
