Joyce Murray

Joyce Murray, 97, of Lancaster, PA went home to be with her Lord on November 24, 2025, at Trillium Place. Born in Rutland, VT, she was the daughter of the late James and Agnes (Horne) Murray.

True to her name, Joyce radiated joy and warmth and a true desire to know people and be a blessing to them. She was a dedicated servant of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and spent her life – even into her twilight years at Trillium Place – as a missionary, especially to children. She and her co-worker, the late Eleanor C. Riker, ministered together for 60 years. Although Joyce never had biological children, she had many spiritual children who came to know the Lord through her and Eleanor’s work and who became missionaries themselves. Joyce was known as a stalwart prayer warrior and encourager, blessing those who came to visit and encourage her.

Joyce was a member of Bible Centered Ministries International (BCM) and Grace Baptist Church of Lancaster. Her gentle warmth and joyous spirit are increasingly rare in our world, so her presence will be particularly missed by the many who called her friend, both locally and around the world.

Friends and relatives are warmly invited to participate in both a Graveside Service at 9:30AM on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery, 35 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, PA 17602, and a Celebration of Life to follow at 11AM in Crichton Chapel at Calvary Homes, 502 Elizabeth Drive, Lancaster. Please feel free to come to both or just one.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joyce’s name to the Calvary Homes Benevolent Fund (which she enthusiastically supported during her lifetime through their annual Golf benefit) at the address noted above.