Joyce Barber

     Joyce was born in Manhattan and raised in the Village of Buchanan, New York; she was the oldest of seven children. A graduate of Hendrick Hudson High School, Joyce joined the United States Air Force in 1962, and proudly served her country.

      After completing her military service, Joyce returned to Peeksill, New York, where she worked as Office Manager at the famous Westchester Country Club. She relocated to Tampa, Florida in 1972, where she completed two years at Tampa Community College.

     In 1988, Joyce moved to Morriston, Florida, where she was a homemaker. For more than fifteen years, Joyce served as a foster parent for the state of Florida, giving comfort to dozens of abused or neglected children. She spent much of her time and resources making sure the children in her care felt safe,comfortable, and loved. To her grandchildren and her foster children, she was always known as “Nan.”

     Joyce served as both the secretary and president of the Levy County Foster Parents Association from 1998 to 2008. She also worked as a regular volunteer for the Children’s Table Food Bank, as well as other USDA food distribution programs to feed the needy in her community.

     Joyce enjoyed genealogy research, spending time with her family, and exploring and antiquing with her daughters.

     In April of 2023, Joyce moved to Pensacola, Florida, where she made many new friends in her community. She passed away peacefully at West Florida Covenant Hospice, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

     In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Covenant Care Hospice: choosecovenant.org

     Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Howard William MacNeil and Irene Elizabeth MacNeil.  

     Survivors include her daughters, Kimberly Kline (Eric), Gulf Breeze, FL and Rebecca Loock (Randy), Morriston, FL; grandchildren, Kyle Messer (Masha), Spokane, WA, Lauren Powell (Bard), Springhill, TN, Kate Lynn Barber (Tim), Monroe, CT, Graham Messer (Gillian), High Point, NC, Margaret Messer (Gulf Breeze, FL), James and Jacob Loock, Morriston, FL;  great grandchildren, Ender Messer, High Point, NC, Oliver Messer, Spokane, WA, Augustus "Gus" Powell, Spring Hill, TN, Evelyn "Ellie" Messer, High Point, NC; spouse, James Barber, Jr, Morriston, FL; siblings, Barbara Supruno, East Hampton, CT, Howard MacNeil (Linda), Seffner, FL, Charles MacNeil (Bette), Hopewell Junction, NY, John MacNeil (Julie), Athens, NY, Irene Francisco (Charlie), Waterbury, CT; also surviving, Mary Kay Bellinger (Andy), Michael Bellinger, Ryan Bellinger and Allison Bellinger.