It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our mother, Joyce Turner Lucas, who died peacefully at home on June 30th.  She was 85 years old. She was born at home in rural Crenshaw County on March 11, 1941, to Luell and Nancy Kimbro Turner.

Joyce was a firm believer that being a good reader allowed you to do anything you wanted, so she shared her love of reading with everyone, especially her children. That love of learning became her calling.  Joyce received her undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Montevallo.  She began teaching science at Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama in 1962.  Later, she taught home economics, eventually leading her department. Her career spanned 33 years, all at Thompson.

She was a dedicated mother who loved her family profoundly.  She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly (Jonathan Wallace) and Nancy (Lee Harmon); grandchildren Nicholas, Erin (AJ Evans), Taylor, Andrew, and Christopher; great granddaughter, Emilia; and her beloved sisters Dr. Mary Ann Turner, Lynda Turner and Lisa Turner-Vaughan (Ted Vaughan).  She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Barbara Turner.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, July 3, at 2 PM with visitation beginning at 1:00PM at Hayes Funeral Home in Elba, Alabama. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of Hayes Funeral Home. Flowers or memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society are welcome.