Joyce Ann (Clark) Howell, 77, of Holton, KS formerly of Norton and Hays, KS, passed away Friday, August 21, 2015 at Medicalodge Jackson County in Holton, KS. She was born May 4, 1938 in Norton, KS the daughter of Harold Richard and Sylvia Colorado (Stephenson) Clark.

Joyce attended schools in Norton County. Joyce obtained her cosmetology license from Francos Beauty School in Omaha, NE.  She started her own salon business in March of 1971, and operated Joyce’s Beauty Salon until 1988. She also worked for the JC Penny Hair Salon in Hays, KS and taught the trade of cosmetology at the Hays Academy of Hair Design.

She lived in the Holton community since April of 2010 and lived in the Norton and Hays communities for over 70 years. Joyce was a former member of First Christian Church in Norton and First Church of God in Norton; she had currently attended the First United Methodist Church in Holton. She was a member of Business & Professional Women in Norton serving as President, 8^th District Director and served on the state board of BPWC. Joyce was associated with the Miss Frontier Beauty Pageant from 1967 to 1987, serving in various capacities. She also served as judge at several Miss America preliminary beauty contests and for Miss Junior contests. She was a member of the Red Hat Society in Norton and had served one term on the Norton City Council.

Joyce married Elmer E. Howell on November 27, 1958 in Norton. He preceded her in death on January 18, 2006. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her step-mother, Myrtle Clark; a brother, Richard Dennis Clark; uncle and aunt, Lawrence James and Ella Agnes Gipe and 2 cousins, Erma “Tiny” Belden and Ermyl “Dolly” Phelps.

Survivors include a son, Ed L. Howell of Hays, KS; a daughter, Sylvia Dyann Parks (Tim) of Holton, KS; 4 grandchildren, Colton Howell of Denver, CO, Dylan Parks of Lawrence, KS, Tristan Parks of Miami, OK and Cailin Parks of Holton, KS; a sister-in-law, Charlotte Clark of Omaha, NE; a niece, Teresa Sterken (Curits) of Elkhorn, NE;  a nephew, Richard Clark (Keri) of Omaha, NE; 2 great- nieces, Rebekah Sterken of Elkhorn, NE and Leah Clark of Omaha, NE.

Joyce will lie in state beginning Monday afternoon at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. The family will greet friends in Holton from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at the funeral home. The Celebration of Life service will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Norton, KS. Visitation and viewing will be one hour prior to service time at the church. Graveside services will follow in the Norton Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Holton Community Hospital Hospice or First United Methodist Church in Norton c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.