Joyce was born in Cave City Arkansas where she, her three sisters and brother grew up. Her father, Hubert raised chickens, and her mother, Edith was a devoted housewife and companion.

Joyce met the love of her life at a gas station while getting a flat tire repaired. She worked in Searcy, Arkansas and it was at a gas station that she met Wendell Rawlings as he repaired her tire, and he nervously asked her on a date. They were soon married on September 12, 1957. A romance that would last for 68 years until Wendell passed from Alzheimer's disease in 2014.

They lived on the Rawlings farm for a short time in Arkansas before they eventually moved to Minneapolis, MN, so that Wendell could go to lab school to work in the health field. Joyce worked in a textile factory. After Wendell graduated, he and Joyce moved to Lexington, Nebraska where Wendell had secured a job as a lab technician in the hospital there. They settled there because the Rawlings family had relocated to farm in the area. It was here that they had their only child, Jerry, in July of 1960. Within a couple of years, they moved to Central City, Nebraska. While there Wendell moved from lab tech to hospital administrator and then was transferred to administrator in Salina Kansas. A couple of years later he was transferred to Lookout Memorial Hospital in Spearfish SD. He held that position for over 22 years. In 1968 they purchased the Mountain View Campground. Joyce more or less ran the campground as Wendell was still working as administrator of the hospital. It was in this environment that Joyce taught her son the value of a good work ethic and good morals as she was a prime example.

Wendell and Joyce eventually were transferred to Lisbon, ND and then to Red Lodge, MT before retiring in their mid-50s. They lived in their RV for some time before buying a home outside of Lead SD. They so enjoyed those times! Skiing right out their front door, an abundance of wildlife running through their yard, quiet and serenity, and plenty of squirrels for their son's dog to terrorize. They loved to live and they had a full life together. They traveled the country for the next 15 years. They eventually moved to Sandstone Estates in Spearfish SD.

It is here where Joyce passed away. She was 91. Her son and her best friend were by her side. She was a gentle soul, a loving woman and the best mother ever. She was a saint in taking care of my father when he was dying of Alzheimer's. She passed with dignity and grace, in her own home. She was a true southern belle.

Joyce was proceeded in death by her mother, Edith Whitener (Smith); her father, Hubert Whitner;  husband, Wendell Rawlings and her sister, Dorthy Harden (Whitner).  Joyce's survivors include her son, Jerry Rawlings; her sister, Wanda Shueltz (Whitner); brother, Daniel Whitner and his wife, Linda and Joyce's baby sister, Betty Cyr (Whitner).

I'm going to break prose here and say that I will never take it for granted how I was raised. My parents made me the person that I am today. I wish all kids could be so fortunate. Thanks Mom…

Joyce's ashes will be buried with Wendell's in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish SD on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 3pm. All are welcome.