Ms. Joyce Ann Crain Capps funeral was held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Renfrew Baptist Church, 951 Greer Highway, Travelers Rest, SC 29690.
Her obituary:
“Joyce Ann Crain Capps, 86, of Travelers Rest, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 11, 2023. She was predeceased by her loving husband Charles H. Capps, of which they were married 57 years at the time of his passing.
“Born in Greenville County, she was the daughter of the late Luther Jay and Nell Willis Crain of Taylors. Joyce was a loving wife, mother, nana and grandma. She was a long-time member of Renfrew Baptist Church. She worked many years for Dan Manufacturing Company and retired as a CNA at Oakmont Nursing Home.
“She is survived by a son: Michael H. Capps (Angie) of Taylors; daughter: Debra Capps Shepherd (Wally) of Travelers Rest; grandchildren: Summer Capps Moore (Richard), BJ Capps (Rachel), Amy Sparks Dotson (Charley), P J Sparks (Kayla); and eight great-grandchildren.
“Along with her parents and husband she was predeceased by a brother Frank Crain of Landrum.
“The family will receive friends Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 11:30am until 1pm at Renfrew Baptist Church.
“Funeral services will be Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 1pm at Renfrew Baptist Church with burial to follow at Mountain View Memorial Park.
The family will be at their respective homes.
The family would like to take this time to say thank you to Providence Care and the wonderful team of doctors, nurses, and caregivers. You were Angels here on earth. And to the private sitters Nancy, Angie, Miranda, Debbie, Tracy, Kayla, and Jennifer.”
During visitation time, 11:30-1:00 p.m., I spoke with Debbie Capps Shepherd. She works out of her home as a hair-dresser; her husband, Wally, drives a truck. I told Debbie about 1950s days when I was a child and her mom visited us. Joyce was unmarried then, ten years older than I, and lived with her parents on Groce Meadow Road, not far south from our house located on the corner of Groce Meadows Road and Keller Road.
My Grandfather Carl C. Crain and her father, Luther Jay Crain (“Uncle Jay” to me), were brothers. I often fished for catfish with the two of them. They had three other brothers (Claude, Jim, and Theron) and a sister (Hazel Ramey).
One time Joyce came to see us after a snow fell at Groce Meadow Road. I was around eight years old and Joyce was around 18. My mother, my younger sister (Shirley), and I went outside with Joyce and began throwing snowballs. Joyce was a long way off when I threw one toward her. Bent over, making a snowball, she raised up, and my snowball hit her in the face. Mom was about to give me a whipping, but Joyce said, “It’s all right.” She was kind and gracious.
As the service began, Pastor Michael Baker of Renfrew Baptist Church said about Joyce’s funeral, “I promise you it’s a celebration.”
A young chaplain who visited and sang with Joyce, sang and played “Beulah Land.” His guitar playing was beautiful; his voice, lovely.
A chaplain who visited Joyce spoke next, reading all of Psalm 24: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully” (verses 3-4).
“Joyce was easy to love, easy to talk to,” he said. “She often expressed her love for the Savior. She poured into her children, and they poured back into her in time of her need.”
Joyce’s daughter and main family caregiver, Debbie, spoke, thanking many folk and describing her mother as “one tough little lady.”
“Mom’s life revolved around doing for others,” Debbie said. Joyce loved to crochet, knit, make jewelry, loved putting puzzles together. “Was she stubborn? Yes, tough. I tried to be there for her every step of the way.”
Debbie said that when her mother began staying with Debbie and Wally, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and others would visit. “I became ‘chopped liver,’” she said. The visitors would rush in saying, “Where’s grandma?” Or “Where’s Joyce?” and ignoring Debbie. (The congregation laughed.)
Debbie said her mom prayed for Debbie’s dad, who was saved years ago but needed prayer.
“We are praying people,” said Joyce, who dealt with a pacemaker, a defibrillator, COPD, arthritis, “knees gone,” etc. Debbie thanked Providence Healthcare and Pastor Michael Baker. She thanked many private angels who helped.
“There’s a hole in my heart that only God and time will heal,” Debbie said, expressing her love for her mother.
Playing his guitar, a man sang “Lead Me Home,” a song written by Randy Houser and Craig Monday. Its lyrics include these: “I have seen my last tomorrow / I am holding my last breath / Goodbye, sweet world of sorrow / My new life begins with death. (Chorus) I am standing on the mountain / I can hear the angels' songs / I am reaching over Jordan / Take my hand, Lord, lead me home. (Second verse) All my burdens are behind me / I have prayed my final pray / Don’t you cry, over my body / ‘Cause that ain't me, lying there.”
Pastor Michael said, “I will miss you; we had some good times, some good talks … that body, that frail body … healing has taken place.”
He read 2 Timothy 4:6-8:
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
He prayed, mentioning those who follow Jesus faithfully, as Ms. Joyce did.
“She celebrated who Jesus was to her,” he said. “We often bemoan what we don’t have, but we’re responsible with what we are given. Ms. Joyce was one of my favorite visits. She just had a way of making you feel like family. She was always thankful … a gleaming example … one tough lady. What an example.”
Joyce had COVID twice.
“She learned to thrive,” Pastor Michael said. “Though she could no longer walk, she took spiritual steps. … I couldn’t figure out who was family and who wasn’t. She loved everyone. She’d say, ‘Pastor, we need to pray … .’”
Pastor spoke to Debbie, saying, “She realized all you were giving. I see Joyce in you. … She was determined to be thankful. … She did it with a smile … She crocheted a blanket for me and Melissa.”
He referred to Hebrews 12.
“Many people give up,” he said. “She didn’t. She wanted to talk with me about some of the thoughts she’d had … She was able to see peace with God and man. She laid aside that weight and finished strong.”
He read James 1:12: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
“God honors those who remain steadfast in this life,” Pastor said. “She preached this sermon a long time ago. … She was determined to persevere. She’s rooting for you. Lay it at Jesus’ feet. She did. What a day that will be if you know Jesus.”
The Pastor led in the hymn, “What a Day that Will Be,” as a guitar player accompanied him and the audience sang.
The chaplain who spoke earlier closed in prayer: “You are our God … thank your for allowing us to be part of life. Praise you for everything you are doing.”
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