Joyce L. Frederick

Joyce L. Frederick, 95, of Zion Il, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Joyce was born on December 6, 1929 in Itawamba County, Mississippi. At the news of her birth, Thomas and Harriet Thornton hitched up the wagon to come and see their newest grandchild.

Joyce’s happiest childhood memories were spent when her family lived on a farm in Splunge Mississippi. She went on many adventures with her younger brother James, dearest friend Iva Lee and her brother Boots. Time spent on her grandparents farm were precious as well, from sitting with Granny Thornton while she told stories of the wild animals they had encountered, Big Pa reading his bible, large Sunday dinners with the extended family, and searching for the alligator that was said to be living in Weaver’s Creek. There was a lot of love in that community and it was never forgotten.

As a teenager her parents moved to Zion where Joyce started her first job at H. A. Friend & Company. Later on, she met and married Lamon Frederick. She then began working for Abbott Labs in North Chicago and put in more than 30 years before retiring in 1996. In retirement she enjoyed traveling, spending time with her grandchildren and working in her garden. She joined the Red Hat Society, the Zion Women’s Club, and the Illinois Dunesland Garden Club.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Marcia (Michael) Wallace of Albuquerque, NM, grandchildren Benjamin Wallace of Brooklyn, NY, Andrew Wallace of Denver, CO, David Gray and Geneva (Shawn) Mayoh and daughter Jamie, of Kenosha, WI. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lamon B. Frederick, daughter G. Renee Gray, brothers Edward and James Middleton, and parents Elgen and Bessie Middleton.

A graveside service will be held at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park 1436 Kenosha Road Zion, Illinois Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Doug Carlson from Grace Missionary Church in Zion will be officiating services.