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Joyce Ann (Reynolds) Willis, formerly of Pope County

Joyce Ann (Reynolds) Willis, 86, of Pleasant Plains, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 in Naperville, Illinois, surrounded by her family.

Joyce was born in Pope County, Illinois on Oct. 22, 1935, the daughter of Iley and Wilma (Fulkerson) Reynolds.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Lowell Glen Willis; her parents; and two brothers, Jerry "Leon" Reynolds and Alan "Dale" Reynolds.

Joyce is survived by her children, Gary E. (Patti) Dial of Franklin, Tennessee, Tracey L. (David) Mitchell of Naperville, Illinois, and Alysia R. Baker of St. Charles, Illinois; grandchildren, Chris Dial, Mike Dial, Andrea Dial Watson (Brent), Jacob Mitchell, Eric Mitchell, Grace Baker, Erin Baker and Henry Baker; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Zack, Abby, Will, Ed and Amelia; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Joyce retired from the state of Illinois Central Management Services, Procurement Division, after 40 years of service. After retirement, she and Lowell Glen enjoyed traveling the U.S. and taking cruises to Hawaii, Alaska and the Baltic Sea area, including Russia and several Scandinavian countries.

She was a member of the Pleasant Plains Church of Christ. She loved working in her flower gardens and creating beauty in her landscapes and house. She loved spending time at her birthplace farm in Pope County, and visiting with all her relatives. Most of all, she thoroughly loved and enjoyed the time she spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were her true joy.

A memorial service will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the Peter Cartwright United Methodist Church Community Center, 205 W. Church St., Pleasant Plains, IL 62677. Relatives, friends and neighbors near and far are invited to celebrate Joyce's life and enjoy lunch with her family.