Joyce Couch Sizemore

With hearts full of gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we celebrate the life of Joyce (Couch) Sizemore. Joyce peacefully entered the presence of Jesus on August 28th, 2026, at the age of 96. She leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith, unconditional love, generous hospitality, and a family who was the greatest joy of her life.

Joyce was born on January 6th, 1930, in Hyden, Kentucky, to Farmer Couch and Maude Osborne Couch. On June 24th, 1949 she married the love of her life, William Sizemore, Jr. In 1967, Joyce and William relocated to Lebanon, Ohio. Though Ohio became home, the mountains of Kentucky never left their hearts. They loved returning “down home” to visit family, keeping close to the people and places that meant so much to them. Together, Joyce and William built a home filled with love, laughter, faith, and countless cherished memories.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, William Sizemore, Jr., and her siblings; Hargis, Doyle, Raleigh, George, Alta, Rose, and Florence, daughter-in-law Terri Sizemore, and son-in-law Wayne Barnett.

Joyce leaves behind her loving children, Loretta Barnett, Gary (Sherry) Sizemore, Gwinette (Rick) Johnson, and Dwight Sizemore; brother Lonnie; her cherished grandchildren, Tanya Evans, Tim Sizemore, Tina Neal, Jason Ryan, Jacob Johnson, Dana Hammiel, Cassie Barrett, Dylan Sizemore, Scott Sizemore, Kaleb Johnson, Kyle Sizemore, Tashina Adams, and Ella Sizemore; her great-grandchildren Cody Evans, Chloe Evans, Nathan Hammiel, Mikaela Johnson, Paul Sizemore, Luke Sizemore, Kelly Sizemore, Ethan Neal, Katie Neal, Alaina Barrett, Shelby Barrett, Sophie Sizemore, Michael Sizemore; great great grandchildren Emery and Noah, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss her dearly.

Joyce was a true woman of God whose life was deeply rooted in her faith. She was a faithful member of Cornerstone Church of God, Princeton Pike Church of God and Fellowship of Praise Church. She loved reading her Bible and singing hymns in worship. Her steadfast faith, trust in God’s promises, and strong Christian values were a lasting example to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She faithfully brought her children and grandchildren to church on Sundays, making sure they were taught to know and follow Jesus. Her life beautifully reflected the words of Proverbs 31:28: “Her children arise and call her blessed.” She lived those words every day through the love she gave and the lasting impact she made on generations of her family.

As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Joyce poured her whole heart into her family. To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was simply and lovingly known as “Mamaw.” She was the keeper of the best hugs, the best back scratches, warm meals, and unconditional love. Her hands were rarely still. She was always cooking, tending her garden, creating something beautiful, or quietly praying for the people she loved.

If there was one thing Joyce loved most, it was having her home filled with family. She found immense joy in gathering everyone around her table and feeding those she loved. Whether she was making her famous chicken and dumplings, biscuits and gravy, or fried apple pies, she found immense joy in cooking for her loved ones.

Joyce also found great joy in life’s simple, quiet moments. She could often be found sitting on her front porch with a fresh cup of coffee, enjoying the morning before beginning her day. She loved her vegetable garden and could spend hours working in it, even on the hottest summer days. Her work ethic was incredible. She took great pride in harvesting the fruits and vegetables she grew, canning them for her family, and making homemade jelly.

Her creativity extended beyond the garden and kitchen. Joyce enjoyed making beautiful patchwork quilts and crocheting, creating treasured pieces that will serve as lasting reminders of the love and care she put into everything she did.

She was also fearless, adventurous, and always ready for a little fun. She loved surprising her family, whether by jumping on a jet ski at Dale Hollow Lake or posing for a picture on her nephew’s Harley-Davidson. Her laughter during these moments is a memory her family will treasure forever. She loved shopping and traveling and was always quick to jump in the car when an opportunity for a new adventure came along.

Joyce lived 96 remarkable years, but her greatest legacy is not measured in years. It is found in the faith she passed down, the family she nurtured, the meals she lovingly prepared, the prayers she whispered, the laughter she shared, and the countless lives she touched simply by being Joyce.

Though our hearts are heavy with her absence, we find comfort in knowing that Joyce’s most recent adventure was the greatest of all. She stepped into Heaven completely healed and restored, surrounded by the perfect peace and presence of her Savior.

In recent years, Joyce became affectionately known for her familiar reply to the things her family would say or show her: “Wow….” would be her response. We can only imagine the look on her face as she entered Heaven for the first time. We believe she looked around, saw the glory of God, and simply said, “Wow….” And then, in that beautiful moment, she was reunited with Papaw, her “Mommy” and “Poppy,” and her brothers and sisters.

What a reunion it must have been. Rest peacefully, sweet Mamaw.

Your work here is finished. You will be forever missed, forever loved, and never forgotten. Your legacy will live on in every generation that follows you, in every recipe made from memory, every garden tended with love, every hymn sung, every prayer whispered, and every family gathering where your presence will always be felt.

A visitation for Joyce will be held at the Stine Funeral Home of Lebanon on Tuesday, September 01, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. On Friday, September 04, 2026, a funeral service for Joyce will be held at the Couch's Fork Church of God in Bear Branch, Kentucky at 3:00 PM with Pastor Joey Burns & Kevin Couch officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday beginning at 1:00 PM. Following services, Joyce will be laid to rest in the Farmer Couch Cemetery in Bear Branch, Kentucky. Stine Funeral Home of Lebanon and Walker Funeral Home of Hyden, Kentucky are serving the family.