Joyce Marillyn Benedict of Murfreesboro, age 87, passed away June 13, 2017 at Saint Thomas Hospital of Murfreesboro.   She was a native of St. Johns, Michigan and was the daughter of Wilbur Sievert and Lilian Dobson Sievert.

A lifelong homemaker, mother to six children, and military spouse, Joyce travelled the world with her husband of 66 years, Colonel William Benedict.  She was quick to adapt to every situation and learned to be fluent in Hindi while in India; and Korean while in the Republic of Korea, and of course English where on occasion she might have corrected your grammar once or twice – if you were close enough to be considered family.  She also became an exceptional cook of Indian, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines.  When the family was stationed in Hawaii she became a certified Hula Instructor and a Master Ikebanist (Japanese Flower Arrangement).  When stationed in Saudi Arabia Joyce put to use her creative administrative skills while serving as the office manager for a French surgical supply company.

Joyce Benedict was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and active in numerous organizations, most prominently the Optimistic Gardener's Garden Club where she won numerous awards for design and horticulture.  In addition she was a member of Toastmasters, Rutherford County Republicans, and Retired Military Officers Association.  She was a woman of many accomplishments with numerous hobbies to include gardening, sewing, hand crafting clay pottery, and of course flower arranging.  She will be greatly missed by family and all who knew her.

Joyce Benedict is preceded in death by her husband, Colonel William Benedict and brother, Reo Sievert and nephew Brian Sievert. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Sievert of Michigan and by her brother-in-law, Gerald Benedict, of Idaho; sons and daughters-in-law: Bruce Benedict of Spokane, WA, Bill and Kathy Benedict of Sequim, WA; Rex and Michelle Benedict of Melbourne, FL; Mark and Sallie Benedict of Murfreesboro, Leith and Pam Benedict of Huntsville, AL.  She is also survived by daughter Mary Benedict Thompson and her husband Randy of Murfreesboro.  Joyce also leaves eleven grandchildren: Aimee Koshlap, Heather Oines, Sarah Fuoco, Ben Benedict, Ruth Prather, Tim Benedict, Megan Benedict, Will Benedict, Jamie Salas, Thomas Maland, Eric Maland, and six great-grandsons and ten great-granddaughters in addition to nieces Ann (Eldon) Whitford and Kay (Dave) Aughton and niece-in-law Pam Sievert.

Visitation with the family will be from 5-7 PM Friday, June 16th at Woodfin Memorial Chapel with memorial service Saturday, June 17th at 4 PM also at Woodfin Memorial Chapel officiated by Rev. Brandon Eggar.  Interment will be in St. Johns, Michigan at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Trinity Presbyterian Church's Building Program, Murfreesboro, TN, or Greenhouse Ministries in memory of Joyce M. Benedict.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Stones River Manor, caregivers at St. Thomas Rutherford, and the support of Alive Hospice for all of their assistance and kindness to Joyce.