Joyce Wickham Bearden

Joyce Wickham Bearden, 73, of Franklin, MA, passed away peacefully at home on February 10, 2012 after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Charlotte, MI to H. Rhuel Wickham and Doris Fern Doty. She was a 1956 graduate of Charlotte High School and attended University of Michigan before transferring and graduating from Olivet College in 1961. She was an elementary school teacher for many years before health issues forced her to retire. She enjoyed dancing, country music, church and her family. A longtime resident of Benton, KY, she lived a number of years in Cunningham, KY before moving to Massachusetts to be closer to her family. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Eastern Stars and Soronian Society. She is survived by her daughter, Christine Ward; son-in-law, David Ward; two grandsons, Blake Ward and Harrison Ward; a sister-in-law, Phyllis Lykins; nephew, Michael Kinsey; two nieces, Rhonda Chumbler and Jennifer Gourieux; three great nieces, two great nephews and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Sharon Lee. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-5 P.M. at the Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society. www.burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.