of Jonesboro, AR

October 2, 1942 - May 25, 2023

Joyce Lynne (Thornsberry) Foster, 80, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2023 at Saint Bernard's Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas with both sons at her side. Born October 2, 1942 in Moro, Arkansas, she was the daughter of Ira and Dean (McDonald) Thornsberry. At an early age, she moved with her family to Marianna where she attended all twelve years of school. She was a majorette and enjoyed being in the band. She was saved in her youth and joined the First Baptist Church of Marianna. After Joyce completed high school, she moved to Great Falls, Montana to be close to her brother, Ira Thornsberry, Jr, (and wife, Wanda) who was serving in the United States Air Force. She loved everything about Montana except the rattlesnakes! Joyce moved back to Marianna after about two years, where she met the love of her life and future husband, Jimmy Ray Foster. They were blessed with fifty-seven years of marriage and two sons, Brian and Mark Foster. Joyce and Jimmy moved to Forrest City, where they attended Calvary Baptist Church and the family assisted in the founding of Calvary Christian School. Joyce was very active in Boy Scouts with her sons and community activities such as PTA, school and church. They lived in Forrest City for eighteen years before moving to Jonesboro in 1984 to raise their family, build their careers and contribute to their community.
Joyce studied at East Arkansas Community College and became a licensed nurse in Jonesboro. Her first job as a nurse was at Saint Bernard's Hospital and completed her career at Jonesboro Human Development Center where she worked for fourteen years.
In 2005, Joyce retired and focused on being a fire station mom for Station No. 2 in Jonesboro. She enjoyed cooking for them and keeping up with their lives. Joyce received several commendations from the City of Jonesboro for her service to the fire department. All firemen held a special place in her heart, but especially "her firemen". Due to her declining health over the past several years, Joyce was unable to take food or visit, but she still talked about her firemen often and they still honked the fire truck as they drove by her house. This meant so much to her and always brought a smile. She would say, "there go my firemen".
Joyce went to be with her Lord and Savior after a long battle with Parkinson's. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy R. Foster and her parents. She is survived by her children, Brian and Amy Foster, Mark (Lori Thompson) Foster of Little Rock, Arkansas; Shannon and Travis Worthington; her grandchildren, Annie, Abe, Jacob and Savannah all of Jonesboro; sisters, Jean (John) Hinkle and Delores Hughes of Aubrey; one brother, Ira Thornsberry, Jr. of Arlington, Tennessee and a host of nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 2:30pm at LaGrange Cemetery, Marianna.
Visitation will be prior to the service from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home, 1900 W. Washington Ave. Jonesboro, AR.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home
1900 West Washington Ave.
Jonesboro, AR  72401
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com