Joyce Marie McDougald
Joyce Marie McDougald was born November 12, 1948, to Thurman and Sybil Kilcrease in Bastrop, La. She passed away Saturday, October 7, 2023.
Joyce led an interesting life filled with one adventure after another beginning with attending the Watson Chapel School District in Pine Bluff, Ark., where she graduated and continued to a local cosmetology school to complete her training. Upon graduation, she began working at a local beauty shop. During this time, Joyce met the love of her life, Jimmy Phillips. On December 17, 1967, the two were joined together in holy matrimony at the Bay Street Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. For the next 26 years, they shared life and a variety of businesses.
Joyce drove a school bus for the Pine Bluff School District for a decade, from 1970 to 1980. She enjoyed seeing the children and hearing their stories. Joyce ran a welcoming, but tight, bus. Students were met with a quick smile and friendly comments. They were expected to be safe on the bus and to keep the conversations to a dull roar. Kindness by all age groups was expected. Students learned showing respect to one another made the rides go smooth.
In the 1980s, Joyce stayed home to raise their children and provide a Christian based home for the family. In the mid-1980s, Jimmy invited Joyce to be partners in a vending company operating in southern Arkansas and northern Mississippi. They worked together to provide snacks and drinks to travelers and workers alike. Many hours were spent on the road together making memories and sharing life. Sometimes life takes a sharp turn and changes direction. After 26 years, Joyce and Jimmy parted ways, but stayed friends. Throughout their marriage, Joyce enjoyed going to the lake to enjoy camping, fishing, and waterskiing. This love of the water was passed on to the loves of her life, her children, Jimmy Jr., Dana, and Kristy. Joyce enjoyed cooking and bringing the family together at the end of the day for dinner. In addition, she was a member of the Pigeon Roof Saddle Club. Her favorite horse was a beautiful Appaloosa named Sue.
Joyce worked at the Chase Packaging Corporation for the next 16 years. During this time, she married Ronnie McDougald, who preceded her in death.
Joyce was a prayer warrior who worked hard to do the right thing when possible. She valued people and could see God’s grace in each one, even when the rest of the world could not. She enjoyed listening to Patsy Cline, with “Walking After Midnight” being one of her favorite songs to sing along with.
Joyce Marie is survived by her brothers, Tommy and Barbara Hart of Cabot, Ark., and Michael and Debbie Kilcrease of Sheridan, Ark.; her sister, Wanda and Jerry Pittman, of Pine Bluff, Ark.; the father of her children, Jimmy Phillips of Monticello, Ark.; her children and their spouses, Jimmy W. and Tricia Phillips of Pine Bluff, Ark., Dana and Lee Ward of Stuttgart, Ark., and Kristy and Tony Harmon of Monticello, Ark.; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside service will be Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Pat Hart officiating. Visitation will be October 11, 2023, at Fuller HaleSouth, 1-2 p.m. Online register www.fullerhalesouth.com.