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Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. Then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 CORINTHIANS 15:51, 53, 54 b-55, 57)

(PRAY!)

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life.

Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live,

and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

I died, and behold I am alive for evermore,

and I hold the keys of hell and death.

Because I live, you shall live also.

Friends, we have gathered here today to praise God

and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Joyce LaJuan Norton Tapp.We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort,

in sorrow, hope, in death, resurrection.

Joyce LaJuan Norton Tapp, age 85, resident of Somerville, Tennessee and wife of Paul Thomas “Tom” Tapp, departed this life Saturday morning, January 6, 2024 at her home.

Joyce was born March 25, 1938 in Middleton, Tennessee, the daughter of the late Otto and Ruth Norton. She graduated from Treadwell High School in Memphis and attended business school, later working in the accounting department at Sears-Roebuck. Joyce was married March 1, 1963 to Paul Thomas “Tom” Tapp and was a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Tapp enjoyed sewing, gardening, canning and cooking for her family. She was known for her blueberry cheesecake and for being an immaculate housekeeper. Known as “Granny”, Joyce babysat all of her grandchildren and was a room mother at Fayette Academy in Somerville while her daughters were in school.

Mrs. Tapp is survived by her husband of almost 61 years, Tom Tapp of Somerville, TN; three daughters, Diane Jones (Billy) of Somerville, TN, Becky Baker (David) of Hickory Valley, TN and Janice Holland (Billy) of Somerville, TN; her son-in-law, Alan Boyer; her sister, Wanda Norton of Horn Lake, MS; seven grandchildren, Megan Jones, William Jones (Shelia), Rachel Jones, Cynthia Boyer, Laura Reeves (Brian), Ryan Wasson and Shawn Wasson; and two great-grandchildren, Kensley Lane and CJ Lane.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Gail Boyer and two sisters, Sadie Norton and Glenda Arrowsmith.

Ms. Joyce was many things to many people. A wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, mother-in-law, and friend. Sunday, following Ms. Joyce’s death, I had the opportunity to meet with the family to discuss any and everything that they desired for me to mention today at her service. As all of us gathered in the living room, we shared laughs, tears, hugs, and memories. Even though Ms. Joyce wasn't there, her presence was still strongly felt. One of the greatest things there was about Ms. Joyce is that she believed in her Heavenly Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore today, as we gather here at Ms. Joyce’s grave, although we may be sorrowful for our own loss, we rejoice that Ms. Joyce is now walking those streets of gold, hand in hand with our Heavenly Father.

It was mentioned to me, while discussing with the family, that Ms. Joyce’s favorite hymn was Lily of the Valley. As I looked over the lyrics to this infamous hymn, the last verse is what seemed to resonate with me the most. It reads, “He will never, never leave me nor yet forsake me here,While I live by faith and do His blessed will; A wall of fire about me, I've nothing now to fear-With His manna He my hungry soul shall fill. Then sweeping up to glory I'll see His blessed face, Where rivers of delight shall ever roll;He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,He's the greatest of ten thousand to my soul.” As I read these lines of this infamous hymn, I could envision just exactly what happened during the wee early morning hours of Saturday as Ms. Joyce was swept up to glory and now stands face to face with the Lily of the Valley, that Bright and Morning Star, Jesus Christ Himself.

As the family and I discussed the details of today, a lot of memories were shared. As much as I loved everyone’s memories, the grandchildrens’ stories were the best. Everything was told from drinking the best homemade lemonade out of Granny’s moldy jug to the legendary Barney blanket that was slept with by many to Ryan stealing fudge rounds out of the cabinet after lunch. William shared with me his daily evening, judging that he would hold between who’s dinner seemed the best, Mom’s or Granny’s. And I am afraid to report that Granny often won this contest. Megan, the oldest of all the grandchildren, shared a precious memory of sitting on the porch swing with Granny as together they sang, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” What is woven into each and everyone of these many stories is the deep love of a woman for her family.

I am privileged to be able to do this service for Ms. Joyce, because I, like so many others, have several precious memories of her myself. From the time I was 3 years old, Ms. Joyce’s daughter, Diane, would keep me and Rachel after school. Many times when Ms. Diane had errands to run or other things going on, Rachel and I would stay with Ms. Joyce. I always loved staying at Ms. Joyce’s. The love and care that filled their house was felt by so many children, including me. I can still hear Ms. Joyce laughing at me today, as I requested one of her most delicious Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich’s. With the crust cut off, of course. Even into my adulthood, anytime I saw Ms. Joyce, she would teasingly ask me, “You want me to make you a peanut butter & Jelly?”

‌ As I said, as much as I enjoyed the stories from the grandchildren, the girls had a few good stories of their own to share. From Ms. Joyce cutting their hair as young ladies to giving them perms as adults. As young girls, Diane, Becky, and Janice, were blessed with being raised by two loving, Christian parents who instilled principles and values that will be passed down for numerous generations. Having met on a blind date, following 5 months of dating, Tom and Joyce celebrated almost 61 years of marriage. Thank the Lord, Tom saved her from Memphis! In addition, it was mentioned to me, Ms. Joyce’s love for the game show Wheel of Fortune. Diane told me, “It didn’t matter where mama was, come 6:30PM she was going to be watching Wheel of Fortune. Billy, Diane’s husband, even shared the memory of one of their early days together having dinner at Tom & Joyce’s house. He stated that she had cooked peas to go with the dinner and as he was eating he found a worm in the peas. Per the norm of Billy, he makes a joke out of it and looking at Ms. Joyce says, “Nothing wrong with that, just more protein.” and proceeds to eat the peas, worm and all.

‌

For those of us who remain this day, I just want to remind you that I have full faith that Ms. Joyce is now at rest in the arms of our Savior. Janice, Ms. Joyce’s youngest daughter, shared with me that on the day Ms. Joyce departed this life, that Kensley’s song of the day was, “Happy, Happy, Happy.” As I heard this story, I couldn’t help but think of the scripture that says, “Happy are the people with such blessings. Happy are the people whose God is Yahweh.” I can’t help but feel the Lord was reminding the family on this saddest of days, through Kensley, that Granny is at home with the Lord.

In addition to our conversations on that Sunday afternoon, a few of Ms. Joyce’s favorite scriptures were brought to my attention that I would like to spend a few moments on before we close this afternoon. One of the first scripture verses that was provided to me is a very familiar one, and one that I pray will comfort those of us here today. It is Matthew 11, verse 28. It reads, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Here in this verse, Christ assures us that as we face trials and difficulties of any kind, even the loss of a loved one, that He is always with us and ready and willing to provide comfort and peace amid those difficulties.

Another favorite verse of the family’s that was brought to my attention is another very familiar, yet comforting verse. Isaiah 40:31 reads, “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Ms. Joyce devoted her entire life to Christ and is now reaping the rewards of a life well lived for Christ. Ms. Joyce’s life here on earth wasn't easy, but I can only imagine in those first few moments in heaven, her joints moved easily, she walked without a cane or a walker, and can now even skip, jump and run as free as she did as a child.

‌ As we come to a close and prepare ourselves to return Ms. Joyce to the dust in which she was made from, may we reflect on one last verse that Ms. Joyce’s granddaughter, Megan, brought to my attention. Due to Ms. Joyce’s love for the movie Sound of Music, she always loved the idea of the mountain singing and the rivers clapping their hands just as is mentioned in Psalm 98. As I close our time together with the reading of this Psalm, may we envision what it is that Ms. Joyce is witnessing in heaven at this very moment and may faith well up within our hearts that one day, we too will be there with her and Jesus, never to be separated again. Psalm 98 reads, “Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.”

PRAY!

Almighty God, into your hands we commend your daughter, Joyce LaJuan Norton Tapp, in sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This body we commit to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labors for their deeds follow them. (REVELATION 14:13, ALT.)

Eternal God, you have shared with us the life of Joyce LaJuan Norton Tapp.Before she was ours, she is yours.For all that Joyce has given us to make us what we are, for that of her which lives and grows in each of us, and for her life that in your love will never end, we give you thanks.As now we offer Joyce back into your arms, comfort us in our loneliness, strengthen us in our weakness, and give us courage to face the future unafraid. Draw those of us who remain in this life closer to one another,make us faithful to serve one another, and give us to know that peace and joy which is eternal life;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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