Joyce Evelyn (Holley) Clifton

Joyce Evelyn (Holley) Clifton of Battle Creek, MI

Joyce, age 69, died unexpectedly Monday morning, April 30, 2018 in Hickory Corners, MI with her loving husband, Roy at her side.

Joyce, the daughter of Leonard V. and Doris C. (Freeman) Holley, was born in Battle Creek on June 29, 1948; was a lifetime resident and 1966 graduate of Pennfield High School. After graduating from Pennfield, Joyce attended Muskegon Community College and Kellogg Community College, where she received her degree as a State of Michigan Certified Nurses Medical Assistant. She and Roy started dating after he returned from the Navy. It seems that he saw his friend, Bud's kid sister, in a new light after being gone from home for 4 years! They celebrated 50 years together this past February. Joyce worked in the Health Care profession for several years, retiring when her husband did in 1996. Roy and Joyce have a 34-foot motor home that they traveled around in for many years as they followed the NASCAR racing circuit, especially her favorite driver, "# 18," Bobby Labonte. Joyce enjoyed reading and crafting and her great joy was putting up all of the vegetables from their garden every year. She took great pride in always being prepared for any and everything that might come along!

Joyce was united in marriage to Roy W. Clifton in Battle Creek on February 25, 1968. Surviving is her husband of fifty years, Roy; her son, Rodney W. Clifton of Battle Creek; her grandson, Ryan L. Clifton of Springport, MI and three brothers, Leonard (Sally) "Bud" Holley, Jr. of Fort Atkinson, WI, Ken (Kathy) Holley of Battle Creek and Joe (Cheryl) Holley of Olney, IL. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Dawn Marie Clifton on June 9, 1986.

Joyce's family will greet friends on Thursday, May 3rd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. The Funeral Service to celebrate Joyce's life will be held on Friday, May 4th at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Heine of Battle Creek, officiating. Interment will follow in Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens, Battle Creek. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joyce's honor may be directed to the Special Olympics, Area 16, 1239 76th Street, Suite E, Bryon Center, MI 49315 or The Arc of Calhoun County, 506 Riverside Drive, Battle Creek, MI 49015.