Joyce Chord

Joyce L. Chord went home to Heaven to her Savior, Jesus Christ, March 31, 2018, at the age of 83 years, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Joyce Lorraine Benson, was born July 3, 1934 in Martin, S.D., to Henry A. and Jessie O. (Bickford) Benson.  

Joyce accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior when she was 10 years old. She had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and was an active member of Liberty Baptist Tabernacle in Rapid City.

Joyce graduated from Philip High School in 1952. She met Donald Roy Chord when he was a preacher at Dowling Baptist Church.  Don and Joyce were married Aug. 16, 1953 at White Owl Community Baptist Church. They made their home on their ranch at White Owl all their married life. God blessed them with 10 children.

She worked for the U.S. Postal Service at the White Owl Post Office from 1978-2018.  She was still a full-time postal employee at the time of her death.  Joyce loved gardening, canning, spending time with her family, playing games, studying genealogy, and traveling. 

She is survived by nine children, Clayton (Sally) Chord, Edgemont,  Vernon (Johanny) Chord, Lewistown, Mont., Pearl Brown, Ringgold, Ga., Nancy (Jim) McQuown, Black Hawk, Twyla (Mark) Walker, Binghamton, N.Y., Donald (Ginger) Chord, Jr., Sturgis, Marilyn Huether, Wall,  Joyce ‘Joy’ (Kevin) Buscho, Kilkenny, Minn., Bryce (RuthAnn) Chord, Destrehan, La.; 35 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; her sister, Martha Kephart, Albuquerque, N.M.; nephew, Joseph Woodbury, Vancouver, Wash.; numerous in-laws; nieces and nephews; and her special lifelong friends, the children of Glen and Edna Speers.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three half-sisters; three half-brothers; sister, Nancy Woodbury; son, Robert ‘Bob’ Lawrence Chord; husband, Donald Roy Chord, Sr.; son-in-law, Michael ‘Mike’ Huether; and granddaughter, Laura Ann Chord. 

Memorials are for Sunshine Bible Academy or Lighthouse Baptist Press. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., with a service starting at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at Liberty Baptist Tabernacle in Rapid City.  

A funeral service is at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 6, at the Central Meade County Community Center in Union Center.  Pastor Gary Brooks will officiate.  

Burial will follow at White Owl Cemetery.  

An online guestbook may be signed at kirkfuneralhome.com