Joyce Ann Rusk

Joyce first began making a difference in this world and in the lives of others when she was born to the late Willie Lee and Bloomye Rice on December 21, 1946 in Grenada, MS. She lived there until the fourth grade when she moved to Memphis, TN. 

Joyce accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at the age of 11 and was baptized in the city’s municipal pool and was a member of Promiseland Baptist Church in Memphis where she sang in the church choir. 

Joyce graduated from Manassas High School in Memphis, TN on May 29, 1964. She also attended Memphis State University. 

When Joyce moved to Bloomington, IL in 1968 she became a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Later that year she began her employment with General Electric on December 1, 1968. After almost 37 years of service, Joyce retired form GE on July 28, 2005. 

On May 24, 1977 Joyce was united in holy matrimony to the late Roosevelt Rusk. They were married for 29 years until death parted them on November 7, 2006. To this union they were blessed with their daughter, Jennifer Lynn. As any loving parent, Joyce was very proud of Jennifer, especially her singing voice, her theatrical talents, and her unselfish willingness to help others reach their artistic potential. One of Joyce’s special memories was being able to travel to and experience London, England with Jennifer. 

If you knew Joyce, you knew that church and ministry were very important to her. She joined Union Missionary Baptist Church of Bloomington, IL in 1980. While at Union, Joyce served as the new members instructor and coordinator of the new members classes. Joyce also served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, Vacation Bible School coordinator, President of Deacons’ Wives and Deaconess ministry, and church pantry coordinator. She was an amazing, creative Bible study teacher and will always be remembered for her words: “What does the Word say?” or “The BIBLE says…” Joyce also spoke at many events as a motivational speaker. She was very active in the Baptist General State Conventional of IL, the Central, Unity, and Wood River Districts, and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and the national Congress of Christian Education. She was also a certified teacher through the Sunday School Publishing Board, and division of the NBC, USA, Inc. Joyce was active with and supported many ministries and church projects over the years. She always felt it was important to show up and support others, especially young people, in their endeavors. 

Joyce loved learning and being in the classroom as a student, taking every opportunity to study God’s Word. She received a certificate in Christian training from the American Baptist College, Nashville, TN’s Bloomington, IL extension in May, 2001. In February 2008, she received the Baptist General State Convention Nurses Health Unit award for Christian Education. 

Joyce enjoyed basketball, especially women’s college basketball, watching HGTV and the Hallmark channels, and exploring neighborhood garden walks. Joyce also loved all things historical. She was a member of the Bloomington Public Library’s History Book club and felt blessed to be able to attend the historical inauguration of the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama. Joyce was an avid reader, she loved to travel, and enjoyed shopping, especially for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes was attending and hosting teas and visiting The Tea House in Clinton, IL. 

A wonderfully unique and transparent person, Joyce head a way of capturing your attention whether it was in a classroom setting or during a one on one conversation. She was always willing to share her trials and triumphs to help others on this journey called life. Her words of wisdom and laughter will remain with everyone she encountered. One thing is certain, with Joyce you knew that she said what she meant and she meant what she said. 

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Lee and Bloomye Rice; her husband, Deacon Roosevelt Rusk; her grandson, Avery Rice; and her son, Dearick Rice. 

Early Monday morning, April 10, 2023, Joyce Ann Rusk received her promised Heavenly reward. 

Cherishing her memory, her words of wisdom, and continuing her legacy are her loving, devoted daughter and best friend, Jennifer, Bloomington, IL; her grandchildren: Iman B Rice, U.S. Navy stationed in Guam; Sadie Mahaela Rice, Trenton, IL; step-granddaughter, Shawnda Rusk, Atlanta, GA; and special bonus grandchildren: Mercedes and Trinity Scott and their parents Rennie & Andrea Scott, Bolingbrook, IL; half siblings: Beverly Ann (Terence) Randall, Dallas, TX; Lisa (Stephan) Pongnon, Bear, DE; Melvin (Ericka) Rice, Upper Marlboro, MD; special cousins, Minnie Moore, Memphis, TN; Jeri Watts, Bloomington, IL; Sandra Matthews, Atlanta, GA; and a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, very special friends, and her Union Missionary Baptist Church family.