FRANKFORT – Joyce Wilson, widow of Frank Wilson, passed away in the comfort of her residence in Frankfort September 10, 2024, at the age of 87. A longtime resident of Greenville, she was persuaded to relocate to Frankfort in 2018 when the house across the street from her daughter Kate became available.
Joyce was a Methodist, a life-long Girl Scout, and a Democrat. Born in Petersburg, Ind. to Chester A. Martin and Mildred I. Weber Martin, she grew up in the Petersburg First Methodist Church where she and Frank were married during the summer between her junior and senior years of high school. She saw her role in life as help mate to Frank and mother to their children Jan, Chad, Amy, Beth, and Kate. She was the office manager, bookkeeper and parts runner for Wilson Farms, Wilson Equipment, and the various other enterprises that Frank undertook. She was the constant that made everything work, and Frank often said their successes were due to her determination.
Moving from Indiana to the Kentucky farm in 1963, she began renovating the farmhouse to make a comfortable home for them and volunteering with the PTA at Graham Elementary School. And two years later she assumed the leadership of Girl Scout Junior Troop 2, which she led for over 10 years. After serving as leader of Troop 2, she continued to serve in positions at the county level, with the Pennyroyal Girl Scout Council and the Kentuckiana Girl Scout Council. She received her 50-year Girl Scout pin and was recognized with the Pillar Award for outstanding community service.
Joyce was a member of Greenville First United Methodist Church where she taught Pre-School, served on the Administrative Board, and was Bible School Superintendent. Her grandchildren have fond memories of visiting Gran’s to attend the Market Place Bible School when they were young. Joyce was also a longtime volunteer with the Greenville High School Band Boosters and hosted and chaperoned many school events.
Survivors include her children, Jan (Russ) Wright, Frankfort, Chad (Letty) Wilson, Spring, Tex., Amy Norville, Marianna, Fla.., Beth Wilson, Frankfort, and Kate (Brent) Higgs, Frankfort; grandchildren, Wil (Sarah) Rhodes, Lauren (James) Faix, Lyndsay (Devin Jacoviello) Wilson, Matthew (Kelsey) Norville, Ashley (Justin Conley) Norville, Ali (Colby) Myers, and Grace (Blake) Boyd and great-grandchildren, Caroline, Charlotte & Thomas Rhodes, Henry Faix, Seraphina Conley-Norville, and Stella Mae Myers.
She was preceded in death by Franklin D. Wilson, her husband of 62 years, her parents, Chester A, and Mildred Martin, grandparents, Prentice Martin and Stella Cooper Martin, and Harry F. Weber and Maude Evans Weber, and a son-in-law, Jeffrey A. Norville.
Her family will remember her as a strong, determined lady, who always expected the best.
Donations in Joyce’s memory may be made to the Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Homes, PO Box 930, Nicholasville, KY 40340. kyumh.org/donate. And remember to buy Girl Scout Cookies.
Private services will be held.
Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory. Condolences may be shared via the online guestbook at www.harrodbrothers.com
