Joyce Lee Creed Francis, daughter of the late Doy Lee Creed and Velva Ann Hardy Creed, was born on May 29, 1938, in Bloomfield, Missouri and departed this life on April 19, 2021 at NHC Healthcare in Maryland Heights, Missouri, at the age of 82 years.

Mrs. Francis was a former hair stylist for Salvatoris in Ballwin, Missouri.

She was first united in marriage to William Francis Sr. in 1958, together they had five children and a lifetime companionship. She was then united in marriage to Cornelius VanDeutekom in 1981.

She is survived by her daughter, Joy Shaw and husband Kenneth of Edwardsville, Illinois; by four sons, William “Bill” Francis Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri, Richard Francis and wife Sherrie of St. Charles, Missouri, Steven Francis of St. Charles, Missouri, and Kenny Francis of Kirkwood, Missouri; by two brothers, Kenny Creed of Crain Hill, Alabama and Doy Creed of Dexter, Missouri; by two sisters, Carolyn McLaughlin of Kearney, Missouri and Janice Crowley of Dexter, Missouri; and by fifteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by her ex-husbands.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Tim Russell officiating.

Interment will follow in the Essex Cemetery. Following the graveside service, the Francis family will host a buffet dinner at the Hickory Log.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.