DEANNA "JOYCE" VERMILLION

Deanna Joyce Vermillion, passed away on March 30, 2010, peacefully at her daughter, Theresa's home in Kansas City after a spirited hard fought battle with cancer.
Joyce was born to Kenneth and Viona (Neil) Hale in Kansas City on June 26, 1937. She married Jerome J. "Jerry" Vermillion of Kansas City, MO on April 25, 1959; he preceded her in death on May 9, 2000. In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Delores "Jean" Stone.
Joyce was the "baby girl" of four that included: "Jean", Darlene, "Joyce" and Kenneth "Buzz" Hale. The matriarch of her family, she is survived by her two daughters and two sons-in-law, Theresa Goin and Kenneth Payne, and Patricia and Jeffrey Bice both of Kansas City, MO; one brother and sister-in-law, "Buzz" and Jamie Hale of Kansas City; one sister, Darlene Piaz of Branson, MO; five grandchildren, Jeremy Gilbert, Deanna Litch, Daniel Gilbert, Tiffany Barnhart, and Haley Goin; eleven great-grandchildren, Andrew Abbot, Shelby Boss, Levi Boss, Kelsi Gilbert, Zoey Barnhart, Trystan Gilbert, Karlee Gilbert, Tamia Eubanks, Demitri Barnhart, Amariana Smith, and Danielle Gilbert; her aunts, Wendy and Pansy, Michael and Kenny her "boys", numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, and her beloved pet "Sugar". Having married a naval man, in 1959, also from Kansas City, Joyce and Jerry traveled to, lived in, and enjoyed numerous States of the U.S. depending on their assigned duty station. After retiring from the Military they relocated back to their origins near Kansas City in Richmond. In 1988, they established Joyce and Jerry's Mexican Restaurant in Lexington, MO where they owned and operated their own business for seventeen years. Joyce loved to cook always asking, "have you eaten?" many times in humor she would pinch a grandchild's fleshy finger, just to see if they "were ready yet". She loved telling those types of nursery rhymes to her grand and great-grandchildren often creating her own mixed-up compilation of many stories into one. Joyce's loving untiring commitment to her family, her ever famous and fabulous cooking, her lively quick wit, her beautiful singing and song writing, and her endless generosity best describes a life full and accomplished.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Donor's choice.

Services will be Friday, April 2, at 1:00 p.m. at the Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, MO. Visitation will be Thursday, April 1, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, MO. Burial will be at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, MO is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left at: www.thurmanfuneralhome.com