Joyce Irene Dennison

Joyce Hill Dennison left this world to be with Jesus on April 3rd, 2023. Born in Grand Ledge, Michigan on September 11, 1926, Joyce was raised and loved by her mother, Irene (Church) Hill and step-father, Mahlon Hill.

She met Robert Dennison in 1941 when he was in the Naval Academy. Joyce was still in school during their courtship, but Bob was preparing for his deployment in the Pacific during WWII. It was difficult to go to school while married, but her mother insisted that she finish if she wished to be married. She obtained permission (from the school) and married Robert Dennison in 1942. She went on to graduate from Waite High School in 1944.

Joyce was known in music circles as “Texas Joy,” and appeared on local TV and radio programs. She performed in night clubs as the featured yodeler and singer. The name “Texas Joy” was given to her by “Texas Ruby,” who taught her to yodel when Ruby was entertaining in Lansing, Michigan. Her voice was aired on the radio on WTOL, WSPD, and WFRO Fremont, and she had TV appearances on the Bargain Barn Dance on WSPDTV. She performed live in numerous venues in Toledo, Oregon, Sandusky, and Bowling Green.

Joyce was also a collector of antiques and for 13 years managed Custer Antiques in Toledo. She did shows and flea markets throughout the area. She retired in 1984 to spend more time with her grandchildren.

She and Bob moved to their lake house at Timber Lake in the Irish Hills in 1990, where they enjoyed the water by swimming, boating, and having their children and grandchildren visit for a fun time. The cottage at Timber Lake was her haven. She loved nature, watching the deer and listening to the birds. She loved it when all the family was there.

Besides traveling in Bob’s vintage Jeepster to various towns and festivals within the U.S., they also traveled to Spain, England, Canary Islands, Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Nassau. She enjoyed antiquing, gardening, and crossword puzzles.

She wore many hats during her 96 years: mother, grandma, great grandma, telephone operator, den mother, TV personality, Questers, DAR, a member of Dendarah Court #10, and Assistant Director of the Shemas for 4 years. But her most loved job was being grandmother to her 11 grandchildren and great-grandmother to her 20 great-grandchildren. To know Joyce was to know that she adored her family and would do anything in the world for any one of them. She enjoyed taking each grandchild out for their birthday, doing lunch and shopping for their birthday gift. Joyce cherished time and countless memories dancing, boating, traveling with Bob in their Jeepster, laughing and loving life with her family and friends.

“Think of me as one who has loved and cared greatly, but was far from perfect and made many mistakes during my time. It’s been a joy to be a mother of 4, grandmother of 11, and great-grandmother of 20.”

She is survived by her children, Joyce Cohen, Ronald (Joan) Dennison, Alynda (Danny) Green, Rick (Deborah) Dennison; 11 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 70 years, Robert Dennison.

Visitation will be Monday, April 10, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Urbanski’s Bedford Funeral Chapel 8300 Lewis Ave. Temperance, MI. The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in Compelled Church, 8970 Jackman Rd. Temperance, MI. Burial will follow in Toledo Memorial Park. Online condolences may be shared at www.bedfordfuneralchapel.com.

Safely Home

I am home in heaven, dear ones;

Oh, so happy and so bright!

There is perfect joy and beauty

In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,

Every restless tossing passed;

I am now at peace forever,

I shall rest in God’s own land.