Joyce Jean Fare Gifford Thurber's Obituary
Joyce Jean Fare Gifford Thurber
January 27, 1927-March 18, 2026
Rowlett, Tx.
Joyce Jean Fare Gifford Thurber, age 99, peacefully departed from this earth and ran into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Born on Thursday, January 27, 1927, in Stanton, Michigan, Joyce was the youngest child of Charles and Lillian Fare.
Her mother died from breast cancer when Joyce was only 3 years old. So, growing up, Joyce was a Daddy’s girl. Some of her favorite early childhood memories were picking strawberries and selling them to her neighbors, cuddling in her bed with her dog Patty, and being part of a small town. Her very favorite thing to do was ice or roller skate. You would often find her skating on the ice pond near their house. She always said that she would rather skate than eat! She was even skating up until she was nearly 80 years old!
One night in high school, Joyce asked Jesus to be her Savior at an evangelistic meeting she went to with her friend Leota. From that moment on, her life was never the same…all she wanted to do was live for Him! In 1946, she became a student at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where she learned more about the Bible and received training in ministry.
Joyce has known what it is like to be both married and widowed. On August 24, 1952, she married her first husband Roy Gifford. They had three beautiful girls and were together for 42 years until Roy passed away from cancer in 1994. She lived alone for many years until she married Gene Thurber, an old acquaintance she met at her 50th high school reunion. They were wed on June 16th, 2001, and remained together until he passed in 2010.
She was a traveling missionary who shared the gospel in schools, worked in the radio, was a church secretary, and wrote and directed many plays and music over the years. Her passion, however, was in the church student puppet ministry that she led for many years. Not only did it leave a lasting impact on the audience, but it changed the lives of those who served alongside her. A highlight of her 90th birthday celebration was a reunion performance by her original puppeteers, where Joyce moved everyone in the room by reciting from memory every word of the program right along with them, all the while beaming with joy.
Joyce was an exceptional poet who wrote often and passed her love of poetry to several of her grandchildren. She was well-known for her endless bag of proverbs and witty sayings, always prepared to apply one to any situation. Sharp as a tack and quick-witted, she kept her loved ones laughing-a part of her that they will deeply miss.
She adored children. The relationship she had with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild was something truly special. She loved fiercely and listened….and they felt it. She truly embodied what it meant to treat the “smallest of these” with inherent worth.
Joyce leaves behind her loving daughters- Joan Elaine Cole, Janet (Steven) Evelyn Helgerson, Jeanne (Warren) Eleanor Lynch; her adoring grandchildren- Tamara Lynch, Warren (Christy) Lynch Jr., Andy (Amanda) Helgerson, Annette Helgerson, William (Michelle) Cole III, Christina (Levi) McDonald, and Jason (Kelly) Cole; her precious great-grandchildren- Seth (Faith) Jones, Kyle Jones, Rylee Jones, Carly Lynch, Chloe Lynch, Cutler Lynch, Audra McDonald, Donovan Cole, Adelaide McDonald, Elliana Cole, Charlotte McDonald, Cyrus Cole, Annaliyah Cole, Theodore McDonald, and Atreus Cole; her littlest legacy, great great-grandson, Silas Jones; countless dear friends that she considered family.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Lillian Fare; her brother Lavon Fare; her sister Nola Fare; her half-brothers Eugene Fare, Gary Fare, and Ray Fare; her half-sister Kay; her first husband Roy Gifford; her second husband Gene Thurber; her son-in-law William Cole.
To know Joyce was to know a woman of unwavering joy. Joy in appreciating the beauty that life brought, joy in times of immense sorrow, and joy because she knew that in spite of any circumstance, God was still on His throne. She was wise. Encouraging. Fun-loving. Thoughtful. Kind. All of these things were a constant encouragement to anyone who encountered her.
In summary, Joyce was a loving wife, a caring mother, a present grandmother, and a faithful friend. But more than anything, Joyce was a sinner whose life was marked by grace…. who gave it all to Him, because He paid it all for her. May He receive all the glory and all the honor and all the praise for a life well-lived in service to Him!
Our hearts ache to lose her. But, because of Jesus, we rejoice in the expectation of heaven… we know that this is not the end, and we will be reunited with her again one day soon!
“In all my days be glorified, Lord Jesus
In all my ways guide me with Thine own eye
Just when and as Thou wilt, use me, Lord Jesus,
And then for me ‘tis Christ to live or die.”
Services will be held on Sunday, March 22nd at Restland Funeral Home in the main building. 1:00pm- Viewing 2:00 pm - Service Graveside service to follow
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