Joyce Lee Gibbs Abernathy
February 3, 1949 - September 1, 2016

Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions Rose Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Hwy 83 N. Monticello ,  AR 71655 9/3/2016 from 10:00 -11:00 a.m. Map & Directions Funeral Service Rose Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church Hwy 83 N. Monticello ,  AR 71655 9/3/2016 at 11:00 a.m. Map & Directions   Rose Hill Cemetery Hwy 83 North Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions

Joyce Lee Gibbs Abernathy, age 67 of Monticello, formerly of Pine Bluff, passed away Thursday, September 1, 2016 in Bryant, AR. She was born February 3, 1949 in White Oak, AR to the late Joseph C. Gibbs and Gertrude Applin Gibbs.

She was a secretary/bookkeeper for Mid-America Packing and also was a secretary/receptionist for Ben Pearson Company. She enjoyed gardening, fishing and working with her flowers. Joyce had a giving heart, loved to cook and spend time with her family. She was a very loving wife, mother, nana, sister and a great aunt with a smile that would light up the room.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by two sisters, Patsy Jackson and Nancy Sipes; and two nephews, Phillip Burks and Albert Carol Gibbs.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Ed Abernathy of Monticello; one daughter, Melody Runkel and husband John of Bryant; two granddaughters, Rachel and Rylee Bolls of Bryant; one step-granddaughter, Ellison Runkel of Little Rock; two sisters, Peggy Bumpass of Monticello and Betty Norton and husband Marvin of Monticello; a brother-in-law, Gary Abernathy and wife Cindy; ten nieces and nephews; and many grand nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 3, 2016 at Rose Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church with burial to follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Family visitation will be held one hour prior to service at the church. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.