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October 6, 2020

Joyce Kirkland Murray, 73, of Faceville, Ga, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2020.

A private funeral service was held at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Emory Smith officiating.  Interment was at Sylvania Cemetery. Due to the ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, those attending were asked to maintain the recommended safe social distancing of six feet and/or wear protective masks in accordance with the State of Georgia guidelines.

Online visitors could sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com. Memorial donations may be made to Sylvania Cemetery Fund, C/O Russell Smith, 428 Smithtown Road, Bainbridge, Ga 39819.

Edna Joyce Kirkland was born December 1, 1946 in McClenney, Fl, the daughter of Lehman and Vera Jones Kirkland. She moved from Baxley to Decatur County in 1977 and decided to stick around. Joyce earned an Associates Degree from Bainbridge College. She met and married the love of her life, Greg Murray, in 1981 and put her skills to work as bookkeeper for Murray Farms. Joyce was a member of Sylvania United Methodist Church.

A true matriarch of the family, Joyce was described as “in charge” and “the leader of the pack”. She could be brutally honest but always with your best interest at heart. Joyce did not believe sugar coating benefitted anyone. She loved to talk to anyone about anything for as long as you wanted to. She put others first and helped those in need. Family was always Joyce’s number one priority and she loved them BIG.

Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Greg Murray; her children, Sheila & Travis McLendon and Cathy Willis, all of Bainbridge, Ga; her siblings, Donny & Ann Kirkland of Cataula, Ga, Catherine & Buddy Drawdy of Baxley, Ga, and Stan & Sandra Kirkland of Sylvester, Ga; her grandchildren, Jessica & Beau, Zach & Janalyn, Brooklyn, Karli, and Dax; her great-grandchildren, Abi, Ethan, and Faylee; and a host of extended family. In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her son, Gregory Jenkins; and her siblings, Lavada Parlor and Lavin Kirkland.