Joyce Jean Thomas, 90, of Mexico, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Pin Oaks Living Center.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at East Lawn Memorial Park. Darren Exendine will be officiating the service.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. on Saturday, May 4, at Pickering Funeral Home.

Joyce was born on September 26, 1933 in Bluffton, the daughter of Jacob and Mary Virginia (Bush) Carver.  On September 29, 1951 she married Joe G. Thomas in Montgomery City, who preceded her in death.

Joyce loved to attend the Senior Center in Mexico and participate in Pinochle card games.  She would spend time listening to country music at home and would regularly attend country music shows.  Joyce would also spend free time doing word search puzzles.  She was a good cook with homemade bread and fried chicken being a family favorite.

Survivors include four daughters, JoAnn (Keith) Drake of Mexico, Judy (Steve) Smith of Mexico, Janice (Louis) Janssen of Columbia and Jeanne (Darren) Exendine of Mexico; one sister, Kathy Alexander of Fulton; one daughter-in-law, Karen Thomas of Troy; eight grandchildren, Kelly Thomas of O'Fallon, Tracy (Bridgett) Thomas of Troy, Michael (Adrienne) Smith of Centralia, Casey (Dane Bono) Smith-Bono of Lakewood, CO, Andy Janssen of Columbia, Desirae Exendine of Sacramento, CA, Andrea (Lake) Bailey of Centralia and Emily Exendine of Centralia; nine great-grandchildren, Lilli, Peyson, Weston, Sawyer, Brenna, Grady, Piper, Gannon and Archer.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Joe G. Thomas; one son, Gerald "Jerry" Thomas; parents, Jacob and Mary Carver; one son-in-law, Kenny Newsom; two sisters, Alice Polacek and Peggy Johnson; one brother, Harlan Carver.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Mexico Senior Center. Memorials may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265.