Joyce Battles

Joyce Battles, 88, daughter of the late Cecil Steele and Helen Ralph Steele, was born May 19, 1935, in Memphis, Tennessee, and departed this life Dec. 30, 2023, at her residence in Dexter, Missouri.

Mrs. Battles was a retired landowner with her husband Elmer. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Dexter, and she enjoyed sewing, gardening, and doing laundry.

On Dec. 24, 1952, in Blytheville, Arkansas, she was united in marriage to Elmer Battles. Mr. Battles survives of their home in Dexter.

Along with her husband, she is survived by four sons, Terry Battles and wife, Diana, of Dexter, Steve Battles and wife, Angie, of Dudley, Missouri, David Battles and wife, Sherry, of Dudley, Missouri, and Josh Battles of Dexter; brother, Cecil Steele Jr. of Bonita Springs, Florida; 12 grandchildren, Ashley Mosier and husband Moe, Dustin Dunning and wife Heather, Lindsey Layton, Kaylie Green and husband Jarred, Cecilia Bridges and husband Charles, Nicole Battles, Erika Thomlinson and husband Koty, Chris Battles and wife Amy, Joel Battles and wife Cori, Brendan Battles, Madara Battles and Alaina Standridge and husband Jake; and 26 great-grandchildren.

Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Roger Battles, and by her great-granddaughter, Jordan Green.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 10 a.m. until noon Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel at noon Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, with Rev. Lonny Mittag officiating. Interment will follow in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.