Joyce E. Worthington

Joyce E. Worthington, 78, of Tecumseh, passed away on June 6, 2014 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. She was born October 21, 1935 in Darlington, MO, the daughter of Marshall E. and Lulu I. Stanton Rainey. She moved to Wichita in 1941, Fall River, KS in 1943 and then to Berryton in 1945.

Joyce graduated from Berryton High School in 1953 and attended Clark's Business College. She was employed by the State of Kansas, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, a temporary employment service and the Santa Fe Railway. Joyce most recently managed her own Avon business for over 20 years where she became a President Club member soon after starting in 1975, then to the Honor Society and Rose Circle levels.

Joyce was a member of the Shawnee Heights United Methodist Church and was active with the United Methodist Women, Farm Bureau, the Shawnee Boat and Ski Club and was a past member of the Berryton Sesame Club. She was active as a teacher or sponsor of Sunday School, youth fellowship, Bible School, and other church positions at the Berryton and Shawnee Heights United Methodist Churches.

Joyce married Ted William Worthington on September 25, 1955 at the Berryton E.U.B. Church. He survives. Other survivors include one daughter, Lauri Dee Neeley of Lenexa, one son, Garry Lynn Worthington of Olathe, her grandchildren, Christopher Brian and Jennifer Lynn Worthington and Mackenzie Rae and Austin William Neeley, and her brothers, Rex E. Rainey of Crossville, TN, Marshall E. Rainey, Jr. of Bella Vista, AR and Forrest Lee Rainey of Overland Park, KS. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Craig Lee Worthington.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. Burial will follow in Topeka Cemetery. Joyce will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Arthritis Foundation, 1999 N. Amidon, Ste. 105, Wichita, KS 67203.