Joyce Lorelei Burkett, of Safford, returned to her saviors loving arms Monday, February 20, 2024. Joyce was a resident of Bisbee, Morenci & Safford in her 81 years on earth. Joyce was born on November 26, 1942, in Bisbee, Arizona, to William and Itrice Henwood. She spent all her adolescent years in Bisbee attending school, church, choir and running the hills with her 4 siblings.
While attending high school in Bisbee, Joyce met the love of her life, Gerald Duane Burkett. On September 23, 1961, Joyce and Gerald were married and started their journey together. She began working as a beautician while Gerald worked in the underground Lavender Mine. In 1962 they welcomed their first bundle of joy, Jerry Duane, and just a short year later a beautiful little girl in 1963, Lori Jo. In 1965 the Burkett family experienced an unimaginable loss when our Heavenly Father called sweet Lori Jo home. Not losing faith in the Lord another Burkett boy joined the bunch in 1966, Michael Lee, and to Joyce and Gerald’s surprise they were blessed with their final child in 1975, David Preston.
Once David arrived the Burkett’s loaded up and headed north to settle in the town of York Valley for a short time, and in 1977 they moved to Morenci, Arizona, where they made their loving home for the next 33 years. Gerald made a career in copper mining and Joyce continued making people feel beautiful working at a local salon called the Hair Odyssey. After her boys finished their education in Morenci, Joyce started her path through Eastern Arizona College where in 1993 she completed her associate degree in art, but she wasn’t stopping there. She went even further to NAU to receive her bachelor’s degree of Science in Education in 1997, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Joyce was beyond talented in so many ways. She enjoyed making beautiful pottery, and paintings, sharing her creations with the ones she held dear. Music was second nature, being able to play multiple instruments and singing, especially hymns in church. Joyce was very loyal to her church and enjoyed being a member while passing on the Gospel of Christ.
You could often find Joyce in the outdoors as she loved nature. Bird watching was a hobby she enjoyed along with hunting and camping with her family. Most recently she took up jewelry making.
To make an extra income Joyce took on a role as a Mary Kay representative. Just another way she found to make people feel and look beautiful. Joyce was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren whom she adored with all her heart.
Joyce touched so many people’s lives and was such an amazing example. She will be greatly missed by so many but is surely rejoicing with her loved ones, cruising her pink Cadillac in the sky.
A Celebration of Joyce’s Life was conducted Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at The River Community Church by Pastor Ken Burk.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
