Joyce Elaine Sayre, 74 years old, of Milan, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Missouri.
Joyce was born October 1, 1945 in Trenton, Missouri to Ellis Grim and Ruth (Bowyer) Clawson. The most traumatic thing to happen to her during her young life was losing her mother when Joyce was only 15 years old. On June 2, 1963 at the First Baptist Church in Milan she married William H. “Bill” Sayre, Jr, he survives her of the home. Also surviving: Four sons, Justin Sayre and wife Stacy of Linneus, Missouri, Jeffrey D. Sayre (Mendy Tipton) of Moberly, Missouri, William H. “Trae” Sayre III and wife Leah of Milan, and Jarred Sayre and wife Missy of Milan; grandchildren, Tabitha Sayre, Jordyn Sayre, Connor Sayre, Madison Sayre, Amber Sayre, Kendra Sayre, Erin Sayre, Brett Sayre, Brady Sayre, and Avery Sayre; a brother-in-law, Clyde Lincoln of Omaha, Nebraska; and several nieces and nephews. Joyce was preceded in death by: Her parents; a sister, Velma Lincoln; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Charles and Wanda Wyant.
Joyce went to and graduated from the Humphreys school. She started working for Dr. David Todd in 1975, working 35 years in the medical profession, working the last 23 years for Dale Essmyer, D.O. Joyce was a Christian at an early age, and an active member of the First Baptist Church in Milan since 1963. For many years she taught children or youth Sunday School classes.
Joyce and her husband were charter members of the Milan FFA Alumni, joining in 1978. Joyce was on the State FFA Alumni council from 1985 through 1991, and again from 1997 to 2019. She served as state alumni president for 5 years. Her own sons were active in FFA, and she wanted to give to other students what the program had done for her sons. She served on the Milan C-II School Board from 1986-1995 and served as board secretary for several years. Joyce was a member of the Missouri State School Board Association for 5 years. She was also elected a Republican committee woman for Duncan township for numerous terms and served as an election judge for countless general and municipal elections.
Joyce would go every Thursday to read the Milan Standard to the Long-Term Care residents at Sullivan County Memorial Hospital. She frequently took treats, cookies, cake, zucchini bread, and took many things for show and tell. She loved every visit. Joyce enjoyed cake decorating, and also collecting antiques. Her pride and joy were her children and grandchildren. She loved going to all their sports events, and everything they were involved in.
Funeral services for Joyce will be held 2:00 PM, Sunday, September 27, 2020 at Schoene-Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Milan. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled for 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Saturday evening at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Oak Grove Cemetery or the First Baptist Church in Milan.