Joyce Neikirk

Betty Joyce Haggard Neikirk, age 79, of Somerset, Kentucky, passed away on Saturday, October 13, 2018, at The Neighborhood Nursing Facility. She crossed over to her eternal home surrounded by her family.

Joyce was born on April 13, 1939, in Casey County, Kentucky, to the late Joe Mitchell Haggard and Lou Vada Moore Haggard.  She was united in marriage to Rondol Dale Neikirk on February 6, 1958.  They were fortunate enough to celebrate 60 years of marriage this year.  The family was completed with three children: Rhonda Jo Neikirk Spears (Tracy), Tamara Jill Neikirk Boatman (David), and Christopher Dale Neikirk (Dolli).

Joyce was able to be a housewife and stay-at-home mother until her children were all in school.  She worked at a teacher’s aide in the Somerset Independent School System for 20 years before concentrating her efforts as a full-time seamstress, self-employed at Sewing Unlimited until 2015.  Along with sewing, she enjoyed bowling, making crafts, shopping, and most of all, being Nanny to her grandchildren.  Joyce kept the nursery for many years at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, where she was a member.

In addition to her husband, three children and their spouses, Joyce is survived by her grandchildren: Tyler, Kyle, Scott (Anna), and Emily Spears; Matt, Kasey (Dane), Heather and Natalie Boatman; Alex, Berkeley, and Briley Neikirk, Amanda Kight Hart (Tyler), and Chandler Kight.  Three great-grandchildren also survive her: Jolene, Grayson and Nolan Spears.  Additionally, she is survived by one brother-in-law, Lloyd Eastham of Alexandria, Kentucky.  Joyce was blessed with many nieces and nephews who were very special to her, along with her friend of many years, Sue Griffin (Jeff).

Along with her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by eleven siblings: Roy Haggard, Beulah Hall, Illa Wesley, Hester Gover, Geneva Eastham, Beatrice Stringer, Carl Haggard, Imogene Roberts, Marie Haggard, Oliver Haggard, and Zelma Haggard.  She was also preceded in death by one granddaughter, Ashley.

A service celebrating Joyce’s life will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, at 1:00 pm at the chapel of Pulaski Funeral Home.  Bro. Corey Meggs will be officiating.  The family will receive friends and extended family from 11:00 am until time for her service.  Interment will follow at Lakeside Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Neikirk’s family would like to personally thank Hospice of Lake Cumberland and the staff of The Neighborhood Nursing Facility for loving her and giving her an extended family for the past year.

Pulaski Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Betty Joyce Neikirk.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in honor of Joyce to Hospice of Lake Cumberland or Memorial Bibles through The Gideons International.