Myra Joyce West Brown, age 90, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2023. Mrs. Brown was a resident of Madison, Alabama. Joyce was born February 24, 1933 in Huntsville, Alabama, to William and Rebecca Rogers. She was the youngest of thirteen sisters. Joyce started her professional career in Detroit, Michigan, where she met her first husband Bill West. She worked for the Bell corporation for 35 years. Joyce and Bill retired to Florida and, eventually, moved to Cullman, Alabama, where they enjoyed living on the lake with their dogs Penny and Bonnie. Joyce and Bill enjoyed 50 years of marriage before his passing in 2006.
Being very active in the Republican party, Joyce served as both president and treasurer of the Cullman County Republican Women, chairwoman of the Cullman County Executive Committee of Republicans, president of the Alabama Federation of Republican Women, and served eight years on the National Federation of Republican Women. During her tenure, she developed a long-term friendship with Congressman Robert Aderholt and his wife, Caroline. Some of her fondest memories included spending time with their family in Washington, D.C.
While at an event in Huntsville, Joyce reconnected with a childhood friend, John D. Brown, who she later married in 2008. When she married John D, she became part of an even bigger family including two stepchildren and five grandchildren, who gave her the privilege of being GiGi to seven great-grandchildren. Joyce and John D enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. The Browns were both active members of Mayfair Church of Christ. They were married for eight years and, Joyce lovingly cared for John D until his death in 2016. In addition to her parents and husbands, Joyce was preceded in death by eleven of her twelve sisters, and her grandson, Jonathan Brown.
She is survived by her sister Elizabeth Medlen, her stepchildren, Mike (Kay) Brown and Amy (David) Hendrixson, her grandchildren Matthew
(Allison) Brown, Rachel (Josh) Farhat, Taylor (Sara) Hendrixson, and Beth (Carter) Thomas, and her great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.The family would like to give a special thank you to Sarita Timmons for her love and support during Joyce’s later years.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mayfair Church of Christ in Huntsville. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until the start of the service. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to His Way Recovery Center; 582 Shields Road; Huntsville, AL 35811.
Berryhill Funeral is assisting the family.
