Joyce Marie Brown

Joyce Marie Brown was an outstanding mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend who found joy in loving her family. She went to be with the Lord on June 8, 2026, at age 70.

Joyce was born to the late David E. “Buzzy” Brown and Margaret H. Brown. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Earnest and Georgine Brown, and her maternal grandparents William and Gertrude (S.) Herbert. As well as her sisters, Diane Brown and Jacqueline Skerrett (Charles).

Joyce is survived by her children Jose V. Sierra (Annolan) and David E. Brown of Lancaster, PA, 4 sisters, Margery B. Jones ( the late Albert Jr.), Lorraine Ballentine (the late Evander), Louatha Lawson (Ronald), and Gail Brown, all of Lancaster. Joyce leaves behind a God-daughter (niece): Brooklyn Smith-Jones, grandchildren: Tyana Sierra, Victoria Brown, David Brown, Julio Vasquez, Julian Vasquez, Julissa Vasquez, 4 great-grandchildren, sister-cousins, cousins, and a host of nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

As a young girl, Joyce grew up on Rockland and Marshall Street alongside her 6 sisters, their mother, who was a devout Christian, and father who served as a Lancaster City Police Officer (US WWII Veteran). She also shared a special bond with her sister-cousins that carried from childhood into adulthood. Together they created lifelong memories: gathering daily at their grandmother’s house, spending time at home, playing at the old Higbee School playground, and roller skating at Overlook. Joyce and her sisters had a great sense of humor and loved a good prank or two. When you’re around them, you were sure to laugh until you can’t laugh anymore, party until you couldn't anymore, and most importantly, love.

She attended Higbee Elementary School, Edward Hand Jr. High School, and J.P. McCaskey High School, where she was a member of the marching band’s color guard team. She cherished her time on the color guard and often brought those memories to life by reenacting routines and sharing stories with family.

Upon graduating from McCaskey Joyce worked at Thriftway until continuing her education to become an EKG technician at Brownstown Vo-tech (Now the Career & Technology Center). Upon finishing school she started a career at Lancaster General Hospital (LGH) in the Heart Station until she retired in 2013; she loved her job. Rain or shine she was on her way to work on the Lancaster City bus, or walking with her sister, with a cold Pepsi in hand. While working, Joyce was a caretaker to her loved ones including her maternal grandmother, both parents, and her sister Diane. A role that she took on without complaining. During these times, Joyce remained loving and found ways to enjoy life. She was the reason behind annual family trips to Hershey Park for LGH company picnics, where she got a thrill from riding roller coasters. She loved to ride in the front row, hands in the air with screams and smiles to follow, as many watched her take off on the Storm Runner.

As Joyce entered retirement, she continued to live with intention and purpose. If you visited her early in the day she was sure to be watching Little House on the Prairie, The Golden Girls, Mama’s Family, Touched by an Angel, game shows and more. Joyce was also an active participant in her community where she volunteered annually at the 7th Ward voting polls. In addition to volunteering, Joyce enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great grand-children. She was a strong and loving mother to her two sons and enjoyed her daily conversations and phone calls with them. When family was around she was sure to be taking pictures of them, and also borrowing everyone’s photos from Facebook, all of which made up the 3,000 photos in her phone’s gallery.

Joyce enjoyed attending family cookouts and holiday parties, attending annual bingo nights and bus trips to casinos with her family and friends, and most significantly cooking. Cooking was her way of showing love. Any time her “babies” were around she would greet them with an infectious smile, followed by a loving “Hi darlin, you hungry?” Joyce was an amazing cook, it was her own love language. She was often the one preparing meals and side dishes for family holidays and events. She also had a hidden talent… baking! She made Christmas cookies, apple pies, Black Joe Cakes, Pineapple Upside Down Cakes and so much more, but it was often only upon special request. Her holiday meals, taco dip, corn pudding, yams, her famous french fries and eggs will be missed.

Joyce was truly a servant of the Lord. Throughout her life, she lived out the fruits of the spirit and not in a cliche manner. She embodied them in a way that was felt by others, and also encouraged them to implement them in their daily walk no matter how big or small. She was the glue of her family. She always told them, “if you can’t change it, give it to God and leave it alone.” Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy will continue through each memory, act of kindness, and love that her family shows because God used her to pave the way.

A Funeral Service will be held at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 414 East King St. Lancaster, PA 17602 Lancaster, PA 17602 on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Friends are welcome to greet the family at 11:00 a.m. for the visitation hour. The Burial Service will follow at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to be made to the funeral home to assist with funeral expenses.