Joyce Lyon
August 12, 2026
Resided in: Wichita, Kansas
Joyce Lyon, 72, passed away on August 12, 2026.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Mark and Leta Bell, and her brothers, Elwyn Bell, Duane Bell, Larry Bell, and Orman Bell. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Doyle Lyon; her children, Corey (Megan Lyon) Lyon and Jake (Sunshine Harvey) Lyon; grandchildren, Garrett (Ellie Taylor) Lyon, Cheyanne (Stephen) North, Carson (Blake Powell) Lyon, Ciarra Lyon, and Cooper Buske; and great-grandchildren, Emmett North, Millie North, Avery Powell, and Alex Powell.
Joyce was intelligent, fun, energetic, elegant, passionate, and incredibly witty. She had a strong personality, a great sense of humor, and was always unapologetically herself. In lieu of attending college, she began raising a family and joined the workforce. Joyce retired from Maize USD 266 after 32 years of impeccable service. Despite her lack of formal education, Joyce possessed a PhD in sarcasm, profanity, wit, logic, and attention detail. Everyone that worked with Joyce would say that she was at the top of her field.
As much as she valued her work, nothing was more important to Joyce than her family. Doyle was the love of her life, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were truly the highlights of her life. For her grandchildren, Memaw and Papa’s house was always home. Summers were spent at the pool, and no matter where life took everyone, their house was the place you could always come back to.
Memaw and Papa rarely missed an opportunity to support their grandchildren. They were at games, events, and celebrations, and you never had to wonder who Joyce was rooting for. She was always on your side—and she wasn’t particularly quiet about it.
She also had a way of remembering the little things. Birthdays mattered to Joyce, and for years you could count on a card arriving in the mail. Every Christmas, she picked out a special ornament for each grandchild, creating a tradition that means even more to them now. She loved shopping, getting her nails done, and especially enjoyed spoiling her Lyon girls after spending much of her life surrounded by boys.
Joyce loved her pets just as fiercely, and they were unquestionably members of the family. She spoiled them beyond compare. Her family takes comfort in imagining her reunited with Cort, Kaz, Maggie, and Duncan, while Humphrey and Bella remain here to keep Doyle company.
One of Joyce’s favorite things was finding a lucky penny, a tradition she got from her own mother. She would always say, “A penny below is a penny from above,” believing that finding one meant your guardian angel was looking out for you.
Joyce was the constant in her family’s life. She was funny, feisty, loyal, thoughtful, and fiercely protective of the people she loved. Even when remembering became difficult for her, her family never forgot the lifetime of love and memories she had given them.
Now, when a lucky penny appears, there will be no doubt about who sent it.
Knowing Joyce, she’ll find a way to make sure they keep showing up.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.
Services
Memorial Service: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 1:00 pm
Downing & Lahey West Mortuary
10515 W. Maple
Wichita, KS 67209
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Oh how I loved working with Joyce!!! She made me feel so welcome when I first arrived to the district and I always looked her up after she moved over to MHS and left us😂 I saw her and Doyle about 2 years ago and she recognized me so quickly. even though she struggled, we had a great conversation. Made me feel so good she remembered me. She earned the PhD. OH HOW FUNNY SHE COULD BE! I sm so sorry for your loss but I am sure those 4-legged friends are so happy to see her!