Joyce Fikes

Mrs. Joyce Harris Fikes, aged 94, passed peacefully surrounded by her daughters to the arms of Jesus on Monday, September 21, 2026. She was born May 10, 1932, in Hamilton, AL to Hob and Della Harris.

She attended Sugar Bend Schoolhouse, Hamilton Schools, and graduated from Adrian High School in Michigan. Joyce married the love of her life, Ragan Fikes, on October 14, 1948, and they were together for 69 years. They traveled to all 50 states, usually with Willie and Elaine Fikes, often without a plan at all. Traveling to several countries in Europe was also something they both enjoyed. Joyce loved bringing back presents for her family from these trips.

Baking the desserts was a common activity for her providing a perpetual supply of cakes, cookies, and pies for family and friends to enjoy. She always joked that her tombstone would say, “she made good cornbread”, but that was not all she made that was delicious. Her house was always spotless, and she enjoyed decorating and redecorating a great deal. She and Ragan were founding members of the First Christian and Missionary Alliance church where she devoted much time and made sure the family was there every time the doors were open. Shopping was a favorite activity for her all her life. When telling any story from the past, she could always describe down to tiny details what she wore and what shoes she had to wear with the outfit. When the girls were growing up, big shopping trips often meant leaving at the crack of dawn for a full day in Birmingham followed by returning home and leaving some bags in the trunk for later. She taught us that there was no need to shock Ragan with everything we bought at once. After she lost Ragan, she picked up reading as a constant companion to pass time alone. After she had caregivers in the house with her, she encouraged them to read as well.

Over the years, Joyce was a partner with Betty Morris in the Front Porch. They remodeled the old house and enjoyed stocking it with lovely gifts. Unfortunately, she had spoiled the family so much over the years that we did not adjust well to her attention to the store, and she sold her part of the business to return to her job as housewife extraordinaire. Along with her family, her closest friends were Ruth Young, Therea Comer, Peggy Harlow, and Kammie Miller. Mildred Payton, first cousin but more like a sister, was her best friend whom she had mourned for many years.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Ragan Fikes; her parents, Hob and Della Harris; and brothers, Charles and Jerry Harris. She is survived by her three daughters, Pam Fikes Berry (Ritchie) of Brandon, MS, Vicki Fikes Turman (Johnny Frank) of Amory, and Beth Fikes Mitchell (Steve) of Pontotoc; her grandchildren, Della Berry Sellers (Stephen) of Madison, Jonathan Berry of Brandon, and Elizabeth Coleman (Kem) of Amory, Ginny Claire Odom (Tyler Dillion) of Amory, Jeb Millender (Brett-Ashleigh) of Tupelo, and Elizabeth Anne Mitchell of Houston, TX; 13 great grandchildren, Ward Sellers, Lane Sellers, Ethan Berry, Dylan Berry, Lilla Coleman, Rory Coleman, Vadie Coleman, Daniel House, Izzie Dillion, Carsie Dillion, Ragan Dillion, Vivie Millender, and Van Millender; a host of nephews and nieces, and two sisters-in-law, Willie Fikes and Waunece Fikes.

The family would like to give special thanks and heartfelt appreciation to the many caregivers who helped Mother over the years including Nell, Betty, Mona, Destinee, Veronica, the nurses, CNA’s and staff at River Place who took special care of her and of us, Chaz and Vershonti, as well as the nurses and staff at NMMC-Gilmore and Dr. Rogers.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church in Amory, MS with Dr. Allen Simpson officiating. A visitation will be held Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 12:30 PM until the service hour. Burial to follow at Masonic Cemetery in Amory, MS.

Memories and Condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com