Joyce A. McDonald

Joyce Annette (Gary) McDonald was born on June 10, 1931 in Memphis, Tennessee to Jesse Lee Gary and Aline Vann Gary . On November 11, 2017, she was welcomed by Christ Loving Hands into a peaceful journey of eternity with our Lord and Savior. Joyce accepted Christ at an early age at Corpus Christi Catholic Church where she also attended school. She became a member of St. James Catholic Church and later was a founding member of Union Community Church in Valparaiso, IN. In 2008 she became a member of Embassies of Christ Kingdom Ministries in Gary, IN. When Joyce moved to Topeka Kansas 2015 she attended Central Congregational Church in Topeka Kansas while still visiting Embassies of Christ when in town and online.

While living in Chicago she attended the University Without Walls, (UWW) and graduated from Roosevelt University where she earned her B.S. Degree in Accounting. She worked as a gift wrapper at Blums Vogue in downtown Chicago, later she became a Job Developer and Counselor for Model Cities Jobs Now Programs. She served as assistant director for CHA Housing Day Care Centers, Job Developer and Counselor for Catholic Charities, Founding Vice President and Supervisor for We Care Dental and Health Service’s in Chicago from 1979 to 2001. Her served in her final job as the Vice-President of Home Away From Home and functioned as the Supervisor and Client Relations as well as Time Keeper and Scheduler from 2004 to 2016. Joyce received awards from Model Cities Jobs Now Program, Cook County Juvenile Probations Volunteer Program and Bethel Daycare.

Joyce married Edward Chappell McDonald and from that union they had two loving daughters: Sheila McDonald (Linda Santiago) of Topeka and Edwina Shields (Alvin) of Valparaiso, IN. Joyce has three step children: Vincent Jones, Eddie McBride, and Moretta McDonald. Other survivors include four grandchildren: Nicole (Angel), Traci, Yoshwa (Cathey), Hassan; thirteen great-grandchildren, Tabitha (Tuscanne), Averell, Moriah, Chris, Imani, Simone, Emmanuel, Charity, Jamila, Keith, Justin, Jasmine, Naomi; Six great-great-grandchildren: Kyra, Damari, Ka'mya, Mia, Sterling, and Adrienne.

She also leaves her special friends: Allean, Charlie ,Bonnie, Mary, Bill, Ruthie, Ben, Peggy, Margo, Vercena, Leon, Greg, Yesse and Sunshine.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jesse Lee Gary, mother Aline Vann Garrett, and her loving husband, Edward Chappell McDonald whom she was separated and divorced over 50 years, but in 1999 was happily reunited in marriage.

Her family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home. The service for the celebration of Joyce's life will begin at 7:00 pm. The family suggests contributions in Joyce's memory be made to Home Away from Home, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603.