Joyce E. Stephens-Reinke

Joyce Elaine Stephens Reinke was born March 21st, 1936, in Johnston County, North Carolina; she was reared in Crocket County, Tennessee, and graduated from Bells High School. She was baptized at the Midway Baptist Church when she was 13 years of age. She later attended Wilson North Carolina School of Nursing Arkansas State University, and the University of Memphis. Joyce was first, and foremost, a wife, mother, and homemaker. Along with her husband, she was active in plant hybridizing; from her earliest girlhood days, she was fascinated with trees and plants. She loved plant genetics and her husband, Bill, loved to sell plants along with her; together they made a great team. They were both certified master gardeners, daylily flower judges, and iris flower judges. They were instrumental in the founding of several plant societies and were privileged to travel over the world promoting their plants. Joyce was an avid genealogist and a proud member of The Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a painting artist and painted off and on throughout her life. Her most popular subject was flowers and landscapes. She was also a writer, and published five books over her lifetime.

Joyce Reinke was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Dollie Stephens, her brothers, Edward, Ted, and Blaine Stephens, her sisters, Josephine Stephens, and Trudy Stephens Phillips. Survivors include her husband, Bill, whom she was married to for over 65 years.

Four surviving children include Jeff Reinke and wife, Gaye Lynn, of Lawton, Oklahoma, Greg Reinke, and Lee, of Oxford, Mississippi, Diana Bernard of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Karen Manus of Nashville, Tennessee.

Twelve surviving grandchildren with family include Holly Frantz and husband, Dr. Robert Frantz, Sunny Dedmon, Will Reinke and wife, Madison, Lacy Smith and husband, Trevor, Ciarra Reinke, Brittany Reinke and husband, Jamie, McKayla Kiddy and husband David, Bradley Bernard and wife Nicole, Spencer Bernard, Nicole Bernard Logsdon and husband Travis, Ashley Glaser and husband Greg, and Michelle Manus.

Sixteen surviving great grandchildren, with four latest additions in 2022 include Jackson Bernard, Olivia Glaser, Tate Smith, and Knoxton Kiddy. Others include Hunter Bernard, Remingtyn Kiddy, Hensley Kiddy, RaeLynn Kiddy, Liam Mardis, Bentley Mardis, Emma Mardis, Laiken Smith, River Reinke, Presley Frantz, Allie Frantz, and Mollie Frantz.

Joyce is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services for Joyce Reinke will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, February 6, 2023, at the Gadsden Methodist Church, Colton Jones, officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be on Sunday, February 5, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Ronk Funeral Home.

Joyce will be buried at the Methodist Church Cemetery in Gadsden, Tennessee - the same church that her grandmothers - Lizzie Nelson and Gertie Dismuke - had been founding members in 1878.

Serving as pallbearers for the service are Trevor Smith, Bradley Bernard, David Kiddy, Jamie Mardis, Greg Glaser, Will Reinke, and Travis Logsdon.

Honorary Pallbearers are Hunter Bernard, Stuart Stephens, Kenny Ray Brooks, Robby Frantz, Jeremy Thomas.