Joyce Ann (Morris) Doty

Joyce Ann Doty, 85, of Peru, Indiana, ascended to her heavenly home on March 1, 2023. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Joyce was one of identical twin daughters born November 4th, 1937 in Evansville, IN, to Rev. A. Earl Morris and Mary Bryant Morris. She was raised in Rockport, IN, where she graduated high school in 1956. Joyce married Bill L. Reed in 1959 and together they had seven children. In 1984, she married her soulmate, Dale A. Doty, and gained a step-son.

In her early years, Joyce worked as a x-ray technician and then became a QMA working in surrounding nursing homes while raising her family. After she and Dale retired in Florida, they bought an RV and traveled the country for several years before settling down in Kokomo, IN., due to health issues. During their time together, they were heavily involved in their churches. No matter where they lived, they would get connected with a church in which they could be involved with projects (such as making church directories) and small groups.

Joyce was an avid and talented crafter and loved painting in oil and acrylics. She played the organ and had a beautiful singing voice. She also wrote children’s stories and for a time was the editor of Rejoice Bulletin, a Christian newsletter that was distributed free throughout Indiana. She also enjoyed collecting and cleaning coins.

Joyce and her twin sister Jean were extremely close and were a mischievous pair! Recently, they put their heads together and wrote two books, “Why Does My Puppy Have Blue Eyes” which is published and “Our Boys’ Summer Adventure”, which is in production.

Joyce was known for her friendliness and was quite the social butterfly who enjoyed meeting and talking to people. She was also known for her sense of humor and occasionally pulling pranks, sometimes to the chagrin of her family! But, Joyce’s biggest desire was to lead others to the Lord and for her family to serve God.

Joyce is survived by her twin sister, Jean Klusmeier, Cape Girardeau, MO, her children, Ginger Hughes (Neil), and Jeffery Reed (Lora), all of Peru, IN, Tamila Emerick (Keith) of Kokomo, IN, and Sherri Doty (and step-son David) of Logansport, IN. She is survived by ten grandchildren, Jeremi Gosney, Kyle Reed, Taylor Reed, Jonathan Gosney, Megan Reed, Lyndsey Reed, Brandon Reed, Allison Reed, Shayla Doty and Derek Doty. She is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren, Eleanor Reed, Noah Reed, Lilyonna Reed, Mitchell, Syzygy, Malachi and Zyanya Gosney, Ethan, Aiden, Aspen and Alexia Reed, Thea and Mikaela Callaway and Bristol Reed.

Proceeding Joyce in death are her parents, Rev. A. Earl and Mary Morris, husband Dale A. Doty, sisters, Francie Abram, and Mary Grace Skelton, her infant twins, Joyce and Billy Reed, and her son, David B. Reed.

A service celebrating the life of Joyce Ann Doty will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 W. Main St., Peru, IN with Patricia Frederick officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Family and friends will gather from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday at the funeral home prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made through the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home to Miami County Helping Hands.

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