Joyce Eileen Harris Buffington, 89, passed away April 24, 2021, at Pleasant View Home in Inman, KS. Joyce was born April 1932, in Marquette, KS, the daughter of Dale and Iola Harris.
She was a graduate of Marquette High School.
Joyce married Don Buffington in 1950. They enjoyed an adventurous life together for 67 years while Don was a construction worker on flood control dams and the missile defense system, and later operated his own steel fabrication shops. After they retired, Joyce and Don moved to Little River, but spent winters in Truth or Consequences, NM in their RV. They became friends with fellow Midwest snowbirds who returned each year to TorC.
Joyce was proud to be a homemaker, raising three children. As the kids grew up, Joyce’s outgoing personality and love of people drew her to become a very successful Stanley Home Products representative. In addition, she excelled in department store sales.
Joyce was known as Grandma Joyce to her eight grandchildren, her nine great grandchildren and all their friends. Visits to Grandma Joyce’s house called for Swedish pancakes for breakfast, running through the sprinklers, learning to garden and mow the grass, crafts projects, fried chicken for dinner, and exploring the overflowing toy box of treasures. The grandkids were never allowed to be bored; Grandma Joyce always had fun suggestions to keep them busy. She was an accomplished seamstress and sewed custom western shirts for Don. And she gave the best hugs in the world. Everyone was family to Joyce, and she never met a stranger. Her passing touched people from Canada to Brazil.
Survivors include her brother Gilbert (Gerda) Harris, Lawrence, KS; and her children: Marilyn (Gary) Cornell, Albuquerque, NM; Darrel (Fatima) Buffington, Evergreen, CO; Tricia (Mark) Cotton, Collinsville, OK. Grandma Joyce is survived by her grandchildren, Michelle (Danny) Bartel, Inman, KS; Ryan Cornell, Albuquerque, NM; Laura (Jeff) Stanley, Gunnison, CO; Kyle (Alex) Buffington, Pine, CO; Stacey (Kenny) Simmons, Arlington, VA; Eric Cotton, Collinsville, OK; Leah Johnson, Owasso, OK; Nikki O’Dell, Sapulpa, OK. Grandma Joyce is also survived by her great grandchildren Abbie and Aaron Bartel, April and Greta Buffington, Riley and Avery Cotton, Sierra and Hailey Johnson, and Kynlee O’Dell.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband in 2017, her parents, two brothers (Dwight and Galen), and her sister (Phyllis).
Friends may sign her book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, with the family present Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary. Graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Bean Memorial Cemetery, Little River, with honors by Queen Esther #32 Order of the Eastern Star (of which Joyce was a member of for over 50 years).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant View Home or Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.