Obituary for Joyce Kay Hamilton

Standout community leader and volunteer, Joyce Kay Hamilton, who was known by so many as a gracious friend, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister was taken from her earthly life on Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 at 4:46 am after battling the coronavirus at Community Hospital South in Indianapolis. The 72-year-old, lifelong Martinsville resident was unequivocally one of the most civic minded, generous, and compassionate people to have ever known. She was one of seven children to Raymond Gilbert and Dorothy Lucille (Burpo) Griffin. Joyce and her twin brother, Jerry, were born on Thursday, September 11, 1947 in Martinsville, Indiana.
Joyce was a proud sixth generation Martinsville native and a graduate of Martinsville High School with the class of 1965. On July 2, 1966, she married, Richard Hamilton. The two shared 52 years of marriage and were blessed with two beloved children and a host of grandchildren prior to his passing on December 16, 2018.
Many may remember Joyce as the ‘face of the Kroger Floral Department’ during the 1980’s, 90’s and 2000’s. She worked as the floral department manager in Martinsville for nearly 30 years, retiring in 2010. It will come as no surprise that during her employment at Kroger, Joyce earned a coveted Barney Kroger Community Award for her outstanding community service. Though she dedicated her ‘workdays’ to Kroger, Joyce also gave of herself unselfishly to her community, church and family. She was a dedicated member of the River Valley Church in Martinsville, as well as, countless community projects, boards, and other philanthropies.
Joyce served on the board of the Fall Foliage Festival since 1983 in various capacities, including project chairman for numerous events, vice president, president for two terms, public relations director and the ‘voice of the festival’ on WCBK. One of her proudest accomplishments during her time with the FFF was a featured event honoring Vietnam Veterans. In addition to the festival, Joyce worked as a volunteer for the public library charting all the cemeteries in Morgan County. She was a valued member of the “Stone Seekers”, which is a “boots on the ground” group locating and recording county cemeteries, cleaning headstones, taking photographs, compiling information and updating the worldwide “Find A Grave” website for historians, families and genealogists.
As a supportive wife, Joyce was the bookkeeper, and ‘behind the scenes’ operator of her husband’s roofing business, R.L. Hamilton & Sons. She also worked alongside of Richard with the Morgan County Antique Machinery Association, serving as secretary and treasurer, as well as, his other affiliations with the Morgan County Fair, Demolition Derby, and years of drag racing.
In 2006, Joyce organized and led the initial “Bucket Factory Kids Reunion”, representing a segment of Martinsville families who lived by the blow of the bucket factory whistle for over two decades. Additionally, Joyce served on the Artie Fest committee, the American Heart Association, United Way, and the Martinsville Christmas Bureau. She was a past member of the Delta Theta Tau Sorority and had worked numerous shifts in the taco tent during the Morgan County Fair. Joyce was currently serving as a Morgan County Bicentennial Committee member, as well as, a volunteer for the Morgan County History Preservation. She had a tremendous knowledge of county history and she was excited to assist with the execution of a county museum.
Her love for her community and pride for all things Artesian, could not have been more evident than in her collection of Martinsville memorabilia. She loved the opportunity to share her ‘treasures’ and knowledge with various groups, churches, schools and an occasional author.
It will come as no surprise, that in 2017, Joyce was presented the Ruth Rusie Award in recognition of her extraordinary benevolence and unwavering commitment to her community, with a genuine servant’s heart! She will undoubtedly be missed by her community, friends, colleagues, and above all, by her loving family.
She leaves behind a host of family members, all of Martinsville, including her daughter, Becki Hamilton (Kim Brennan); son, Tyler (Melissa) Hamilton; mother, Dorothy Griffin; two brothers, Jerry (Pat) Griffin and Rick (Marilyn) Griffin; three sisters, Priscilla (Gary) Austin, Sharon Stickan and Lori (Lloyd) Wilber; five grandchildren, Shane, Taylor and Morgan Hamilton, Allison (Jeremy) Bailey and Madison Bales; one great grandson, Hudson Bailey and another great grandchild on the way.
Joyce was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Griffin; husband, Richard Hamilton; and a brother, Randy Griffin. Due to the current restrictions created by the COVID 19 outbreak, a private graveside service for only the family will be held in New South Park, where Joyce will be laid to rest beside her late husband. A public visitation and celebration of her life will be announced when the situation allows, and all restrictions have been lifted. We wish to thank you for your support and look forward to celebrating Joyce’s life at a later date. Please share memories and condolences with the Hamilton family online at www.nealandsummers.com and watch for an update regarding the public services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to either the Fall Foliage Festival, 128 N. Jefferson St., Martinsville or the Morgan County History Partnership (for the museum), c/o The Community Foundation of Morgan County, 56 N. Main St., Martinsville, IN 46151.

Cemetery Details

New South Park Cemetery

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