Obituary of Joyce Cassels

Funeral services for Joyce Laverne Nelson Cassels, age 74 of West Monroe, LA, will be held at 2PM on Sunday, November 29th, 2015 at Riser Funeral Home, 7131 Hwy. 165, Columbia, LA, with Pastor Tony Cassels and Rev. Shane Duke officiating. Interment will follow at Rosefield Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, November 28th, 2015 at Center Point Baptist Church, 608 Winnfield Rd., West Monroe, LA, from 4PM to 7PM. Joyce was born on July 14, 1941 in Columbia, LA to the union of William Byron Nelson & Lula Estelle Strebeck Nelson. She departed for her heavenly home after a long battle with cancer on November 26, 2015 in the comfort of the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Connie Cassels of Eros, LA. Throughout her lifetime and lengthy illness, "Joy" as she often liked to be referred to by others who knew her and loved her best, was true to her nickname. She exemplified the peace, joy, and love of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Even during her last days of incredible pain, she thought and prayed for others, often asking how fellow church members were feeling and spending much time praying for their needs/illnesses rather than focusing on her own. Joyce was well-known by her family and friends as a prayer warrior and could always be called upon in time of need to pray for others. She took these requests so seriously, writing them down specifically, and calling upon the Lord on behalf of individuals daily. Although she had retired, Joyce often spoke about how much she enjoyed working in retail as a door greeter at Wal-Mart for many years, an apartment manager, working at Field's Department store as a salesperson, Western Electric in Shreveport, LA on the assembly line, as a key-punch operator in New Orleans, LA and countable other types of interesting work. Joyce served alongside her husband, Ray, in the Woodmen of the World Fraternal Organization filling many roles and offices throughout the years. Her most favorite hobby was meeting and talking to people - she never met a stranger, was welcoming to others, and had a knack for always making other people feel comfortable. Upon entering her home, you were guaranteed an offering of tea, coke, coffee, cake, pie, breakfast, supper, etc. regardless of the time of day or night. She was blessed with the true gift of hospitality to others. Joyce's favorite moments were spent visiting with family and friends, especially her brother, James ("Jim") Nelson, and recently-deceased sister, Doris ("Dot") Rabon, grandchildren - Casey Cassels, Tiffany Spillers, and Angela Savant. She loved drinking coffee and having pie as she enjoyed a special relationship with her sisters-in-law, Jo Welch and Mary Nelson. Joyce looked forward to long telephone conversations with good friends, Wanda Kerrigan, Margie & Diane Lowe. She loved playing with and giving little surprises and treats to her great grandchildren, Cason, Tyson, & Evie Grace Spillers, as well as to her great nephews, Asher & Trooper Nelson. She was preceded in death by her parents; her spouse, Murphy Ray Cassels; sister, Doris ("Dot") Rabon; and brother, William ("Bill") Gaston Nelson. Those left to cherish her memory are her son and daughter-in-law, Tony & Connie Cassels of Eros, LA; grandson, Casey Ray Cassels of Hot Springs, North Carolina; granddaughter and spouse, Tiffany & Johnathan Spillers of West Monroe, LA; granddaughter and spouse, Angela & Jeramy Savant; three great grandchildren, Cason, Tyson, & Evie Grace Spillers of West Monroe, LA; beloved brother and sister-in-law, James ("Jim") & Mary Nelson of Monroe, LA; a host of sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, close friends and church family. Pallbearers will be her nephews including: Randal Cassels, Gary Cassels, Sherman Cassels, Kurt Volentine, Hershel Volentine, Aaron Volentine, Kevin Wyles, John Wyles, Jeffrey Wyles, Jason Nelson, and Darren Welch. The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the family, friends, church and community members who have provided help to our beloved mother, Joyce, during her extended illness, in the form of cards, gifts of money, help, visits, flowers, food, ongoing prayers, and many other ways we may never even be aware of. We especially want to thank Patsy Lee for the tender, loving care she provided as our in-home sitter and medical assistant - we love you so very much. We also would like to thank the many wonderful home health nurses from Synergy Home Health, but most especially Dawn Bartley - Mrs. Joyce believed there was none better than you. Finally, to the fantastic team at Hospice Compassus, who helped our family through these last few weeks, we offer a special thank you to all of you, particularly Nicki, Odis, Shaun, and Jessica.