Joyce D. Gilpin, 84, of Dowagiac and formerly of Coloma, died Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.
Services celebrating her life will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Dowagiac Missionary Baptist Church where she was a member. Burial will follow the service in Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac. The visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 2, at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma. The Coloma Order of the Eastern Star #307 will perform their rites at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Davidson Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Dowagiac Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund. Please share memories or messages at www.florin.net.
Joyce was born on June 25, 1938 in Wayne Township to James and Lillie Stevens. She grew up in Dowagiac and graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1956. After graduation Joyce attended the Central Baptist College in Conway, AR. She married her husband, Gary H. Gilpin, in 1957 and together they have celebrated 64 years of marriage.
Joyce was a longtime member and a Past Matron of the Coloma Order of the Eastern Star #307. She was also a member of the Worthy Matron’s Club and a member of the Coloma Lioness Club. Joyce was a Past President of the Coloma American Legion Auxiliary #362. She started employment with Florin Funeral Service in 1969. She soon became the Corporate Administrator, a position which she held for over 25 years. She became “Mama Joyce” to the staff. Joyce was an energetic and detailed individual. She loved her position with Florin Funeral Service and contributed her time and energy.
Joyce also loved her family. She will be missed by all who came in contact with her.
Her family includes her husband, Gary; her son, James, of Dowagiac; three brothers, Carl Stevens of Niles, Martin Everette of Knoxville, TN and Elmer Stevens of Dowagiac; her sister, Nellie Livingston of Grand Rapids; and her many nieces and nephews. Her family also includes the staff of Florin Funeral Service. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Reba Davis.