LITTLE ROCK — Joyce Ross Cearley,

97, died in her sleep Oct. 23, 2020, in Little Rock. She was born June 27, 1923, one of three children of Harlan and Flossie Ross ( ne Nix) in Liberal, Kan., the epicenter of the dust bowl.

When she was 10 her family moved to Palisade, Colo., to escape the drought. She attended public schools there. As a youngster Joyce often traveled to the roller rink in nearby Grand Junction where she met Bob, the love of her life, who was working in the Civilian Conservation Corps near Palisade.

The two eloped to Moab, Utah, she, a 16-year-old high school senior, and he five years her senior. Upon graduation the couple moved to Bob’s home state of Texas, and settled in Fort Worth.

When WWII erupted Bob enlisted in the Army and the couple moved to Galesburg, Ill., where he trained before shipping out to the South Pacific. After the war they relocated to Little Rock and later to Hot Springs, where she was active in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Joyce was a wonderful and loving wife, mother and teacher. She taught her kids about logic, “Because I said so, that’s why;” about giving and receiving, “You’re going to get it when your Dad gets home;” and about time, “Go outside now – I don’t want to see you again until I call you in for supper.”

She will be sorely missed by friends and family.

Joyce (“Mimi” to her family) was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years; daughter Sandra Jean Winton of Mesquite, Texas; older sister Marie Tilton of Grand Junction, Colo.; and younger brother Larry Ross of Harbor, Ore.

She is survived by son Robert M. Cearley Jr. and wife Sarah; grandchildren Erin Ritchie (Branden) of Winnetka, Ill., Virginia Collins (Michael) of Denver, Colo., Robin Voss (Bill) of Ennis, Texas, Shannon Pilgrim (Mike) of Forney, Texas, and Christopher Winton of Dallas, Texas; 10 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of a service the family will gather remotely to celebrate Joyce’s life. We wish to thank the staff of Avenir Memory Care, where she was lovingly cared for the past year.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Heifer International. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, RuebelFuneralHome.com .