Joyce Leanna Kirkus

Jeffcoat Funeral Home

255 Friendship Road

Tallassee, AL 36078

Tel (334) 283-6801

Joyce LeAnna Kirkus, a resident of Millbrook, Alabama, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the age of 57. She was born October 15, 1965 in Monroeville, Alabama.

Joyce was a wonderfully complex woman, who burned like a candle, bright and hot. Her life was a constant adventure, and she sought novelty in life. She joined the military, became a teacher, got her master’s degree, and had two wonderful daughters whom she loved very much. Joyce instilled in her children and anyone she touched a drive to experience life to the fullest. It will be impossible to condense her down to a few lines, however, she helped by rewriting a song one year ago and a Psalm she loved dearly.

The rewrite read, “I’m poor, but I’m rich. I’m lost, but I’m found. I’m blind but I’m insightful. I’m frightened, but I’m free. I’m lonely, but I’m loved. And what it all comes down to, we changed everything and everything is still fine. ‘Cause I’ve got one hand in my pocket and the other one is in the sky.”

Psalm 139:1-12 reads, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me.” Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”

Joyce is survived by daughters, Sally Leanna Matlock (Gwen Thompson) and Emily Karen Grace Holliday (Benjamin); brother, Von Kirkus (Emily); nieces and nephews; Sarah Beth Jones (Joey), Scott Nelson, Asa Kirkus (Jeannie) and Aaron Kirkus and several great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Samuel and Lillian Elizabeth Stacey Kirkus.

A celebration of life will take place at a later date with her family. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to have donations sent to help support her family’s mission trip to Thailand. Joyce loved the Lord and wanted everyone to know Him as their Savior. We will honor her wishes to have his word and message spread.  https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E355126&id=123