November 18, 1926 - July 4, 2014

Joyce Evelyn Midkiff Dean was born November 18, 1926 to David and Inez (Winham) Midkiff, and passed away July 4, 2014. She graduated from Evans High School in 1944, and later worked at the Royal Cafe` in DeRidder.  After marrying, she traveled and lived in various locations in the United States and Europe, with her army career husband, Joseph H. Dean.  Joyce was employed at Pippin Store for a period of time in the late 1960s. At various times, she was caregiver to young and elderly family members and neighbors. From the mid-1970s through the 1980s, she worked as a cashier at Uncle Bink’s Convenience Store in DeRidder, for the Burnett and Alston families. Joyce had been a member of the Knight Community Volunteer Fire Department since it was established in 1987.  She was usually the pump operator, and enjoyed surprising volunteers during practice with a few extra bursts of water pressure.  Joyce was a Christian and a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in the Knight Community. She assisted with Vacation Bible School and even hosted VBS at her home one summer.

Joyce enjoyed playing bingo, dominoes, a variety of card and board games.  She valued time visiting with family and friends, and always had the back door open, and a hot pot of coffee available.  Joyce enjoyed gardening, and always planted more than she or her family needed.  She was fondly referred to as ‘Sgt. Dean’, as she commanded her ‘troops’ in the pea patch.   Joyce liked to fish, mechanic, squirrel hunt, and swim. Fishing with her always provided stories to tell and re-tell at family get-togethers. She often joined in Ouiska Chitto canoe trips with the younger crowd, and spent many fun afternoons swimming at the Gator Hole on Anacoco Creek.

No matter what she was involved in, she carried it out with enthusiasm. She enjoyed reading, watching TV, and listening to country music during her spare time.  Joyce was an avid fan of George Jones, and loved telling how she saw him in concert in Leesville, but missed seeing him when his tour bus stopped by Uncle Bink’s on her day off work.  She loved delving into family genealogy, and liked recounting old family stories.  Joyce tended to be plain spoken with her no nonsense attitude. Her bark was usually worse than her bite, except on a few occasions when she brought out her shotgun to get her point across, thus her CB handle of “Shotgun Mama” was born in the 1970s.

Joyce is survived by son and daughter-in-law, James and Wanda Goins, Knight Community; one grand-daughter, Crystal Fontenot, and husband, Josh, of Knight; one brother, Howard Midkiff, Evadale, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph H. Dean; sister, Doris Angelly; two brothers, Kenneth D. Midkiff and (David) Leroy Midkiff; parents, David & Inez Midkiff; and great-grandson, Jacob Knight.

Grandchildren/Great-Grandchildren/Great-Great Grandchildren: Richard Knight, James Earl Knight, Susan Knight, Gabrielle “Gabby” Outlaw, Galloway Outlaw-Knight, Laura Knight, Monica McCarty, Rick Wyatt, Vanessa Jackson, Tracey Blankenship, Patrick Blankenship, Lela Knippers, Tyler McCarty, Kailey McCarty, Addison Midkiff, and Ayzryl Outlaw- Knight.

She adored her many nieces andnephews:  Kirk Midkiff, Craig Midkiff, Leanne Jeane, Doug Midkiff, Kelly Farmer, Angela Kay, Heather Nash, Dustin Midkiff, Lee Midkiff, Lacia Kay, Lauren Outlaw-Knight, Ethan Jeane, David Midkiff, Caitlin Midkiff, Sam Midkiff, Kayla Sheppard, Colton Cotten, Zachary Mueller and their families.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 5, 2014 from 5:00-9:00PM at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Knight Community, LA, and again on Sunday, July 6, 2014 from 12:00PM until time of service at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Knight Community, LA. Funeral Services will be held Sunday, July 6, 2014 at 2:00PM at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Knight Community, LA. Burial will follow in Hinson Cemetery in Knight Community, LA.