JOYCE MARIE PHARIS,

91, of Little Rock, Ark., departed this life on Jan. 13, 2023, with her children by her bedside. Born on Aug. 25, 1931, in Carrollton, Ark., to Joe and Stella Fultz Davis (deceased). Joyce spent her formative years in Alpena and Urbanette, Ark. Growing up during the Depression Era was difficult, the Davis Family managed to scrape out a living in the hills of Carroll County.

Joyce graduated from Berryville High School in 1950, and shortly thereafter married Ed Pharis on Dec 17, 1950. They were married until Ed’s passing in Jan. of 2020. As newlyweds, Joyce and Ed resided in Colorado Springs, Colo. Ed was deployed to Korea of that same year. Joyce stayed with her sister Willie in Nyssa, Ore., working as a telephone operator.

When the Korean War ended, Joyce and Ed made their home in Berryville, Ark. Joyce devoted much of her early years to raising her three children, chairing women’s church groups, and vacation Bible school. She was instrumental in founding a Head Start program for children in the early sixties.

At the age of 40, Joyce attended Harrison Vocational Technical School in Harrison, graduating with a degree in licensed practical nursing. While working at Carroll General Hospital as an LPN she went back to nursing school to earn her Registered Nursing degree, graduating at the top of her class. Primarily working in surgery, Joyce was a proficient Nurse in all areas of the hospital. In 32 years of nursing Joyce forged many bonds with patients and friendships with coworkers.

Joyce adored the color red. Red nails, red lipstick, red begonias and hibiscus. She loved bright clothing, sparkling jewelry, and having her hair styled. Adding to this list is strong coffee, Chinese food, potato chips, fresh garden corn and tomatoes. She adored her faithful poodle, Jacques. Joyce looked forward to her yearly trips to Hawaii to visit her sister, Willie. She treasured the friendships she developed in Hawaii. Her new passion in later years was ballroom dancing. She became quite a good dancer! Needless to say her favorite TV show was “Dancing With the Stars”.

Family was the most important part of her life’s accomplishments and her abiding faith in God, Joyce was an active member of the Berryville United Methodist Church. Preceding her in death are her husband Ed, and her beloved grandson, Phillip Howard. She was also preceded by her sisters, Drue Collins, Eva Davis, Ina Mae Garland, and Willie McKinney. She was preceded by her twin brother Joy, and brothers Lester and Charley. Also preceding are several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Left to cherish her memory are daughter Janice Howard and husband John, of Berryville, Ark. Sons: Charles Pharis and wife Peggy of Little Rock, Harold Davis and wife Christine, of Fayetteville, Ark., Grand daughter-in-law Kala Wilson Howard of Green Forest, Ark., granddaughter Sarah Abercrombie, and sister-in-law Joanne Davis (Charley) of Berryville. Also, several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family wishes to offer our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of ICU South at Baptist Medical Center, Little Rock, helping to make our mother’s last days dignified and comfortable. Thank you to the loving and caring staff at The Manor and Evelyn her hairdresser.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 4, at 11 o’clock at the Berryville United Methodist Church. Visitation and a reception will immediately follow the service in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mercy Health Foundation, 214 Carter Street, Berryville, Ark., 72616

Arrangements are under the direction of Roller Chenal Funeral. Online guestbook available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.