Joyce Margaret (Howe) Thompson, 93, of Paradise, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, with her family by her side.

She was born August 25, 1933, at the family home southwest of Paradise. She was one of four children born to James D. and Lillian G. (Steventon) Howe. She grew up on the family farm and attended The Green School just southwest of Paradise. She graduated from Paradise High School in 1951.

Joyce married Arthur “Art” N. Thompson on September 30, 1951, in Paradise. They had two children: Brett and Trisha. They made their home in Paradise.  Arthur preceded her in death on October 13, 1985.

Joyce worked as a secretary for Rodgers and Hoisington wholesale grocers for over 18 years. She and Art then acquired Paradise Grain in 1970 – a business they grew into an important contributor to the local community.

She was an active member of the Paradise United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women’s group. Joyce took special pride in her over 50 years of putting on the church bazaar, an event that raised significant funds for the new church building and supported church activities. She was a member of the Natoma Eastern Star.

She enjoyed playing pitch and bridge with her friends, working with the Church, entertaining family and friends at home, and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, especially sporting events.

Joyce’s surviving family includes her son, Brett Thompson (Bonnie) of Paradise; daughter, Trisha Barenberg (Joe) of Graford, Texas; sisters, JoAnn Moore of Panama City, Fla., and Janet Ralstin of Waxahachie, Texas; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Howe of Thurman, Iowa, Sue Heitschmidt (Rod) of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Florence Thompson of Russell; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Arthur, and brother, Ben Howe.

A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Paradise Valley Grace Church. Burial will follow at the Mount Herman Cemetery near Paradise. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Waldo Senior Center or Paradise Pride for an historical monument in her honor. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, which is handling these arrangements.