Joyce Vandiver Dinkins

Margie ‘Joyce’ (Vandiver) Dinkins, born on December 27, 1937, died on October 30, 2025, at her home in Kennett, MO surrounded by her loving husband of 72 years, Wayne U. Dinkins and children Deborah Dinkins, Stephen Dinkins, and Anna Dinkins Daly. She was the beloved eldest daughter of Homer and Nova ‘Holt’ Vandiver who proceeded her in death. Joyce was affectionately known as a daughter, sister, wife and mother but by far her favorite name was Grandmother. She was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her journey on this earth was one marked by love of family, creating art in all forms and an unwavering faith in God as she supported her husband Wayne, a church of Christ minister for over 70 years.

Joyce is survived and dearly missed by her devoted husband Wayne and their children Deborah, Stephen (Launa), and Anna (Steve), her siblings Ralph (Winnie) Vandiver, Darlene (Dennis) Robertson and Dennis (Karen) Vandiver. Forever cherished and remembered by her grandchildren, Timothy Brooks, Lori (Josh) Brummerstedt, Amber (Adam) Lewis, Brittnee (Michael) Johnson, Hillary Dinkins, Kaydee (Brandon) Green, Molly Daly, and Declan Daly. Great Grandchildren Chase (Sara) and Levi Brooks, Lucy and Hallie Tindall, Ava, Isabel and Nolan Brummerstedt, Reagan, Aiden, Emerson and Micah Lewis, Henry, Charlie, and Eloise Johnson, Madilynn and Banks Green as well as Great-Great Grandchildren Bindi and Baby Boy Brooks (arriving February 2026).

She was a graduate of Clarkton High School, and married Wayne in 1953. She enjoyed serving as minister’s wife for multiple Churches of Christ across Missouri, Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee. Joyce also worked as a rural mail carrier and postmaster for the US Postal Service for over 20 years.

Joyce found joy in creating art– painting landscapes and portraits, quilting, sewing, crochet, growing the most beautiful flowers, and baking – especially her famous Red Velvet Cake, which was often said she wouldn’t be let in a family gathering without it! She gleefully shared her artistic talents with family and friends and took great pride in making hand-beaded Christmas stockings for all her grandchildren, multiple nieces, nephews, church members and friends. She had a beautiful alto voice and enjoyed congregational singing at church after having learned to read ‘shape’ notes as a child. Those who knew Joyce will remember her for her warm smile, her the ability to create anything, her impeccable sense of style, her insatiable love of babies and her deep-rooted faith in God.

Memorial arrangements will be finalized and announced soon.

Because of her deep love of children, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to:

Backlight Productions – Theater Arts for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at https://backlightproductions.org/give/ in the name of Joyce Dinkins, in honor of her granddaughter Molly Daly who is a Backlight actor. Or, Paragould Children’s Home at https://www.childrenshomes.org/

Powell Funeral & Cremation Services, Kennett is in charge of arrangements.