Joyce Ellen Francine Adams Millard Tabbs

Joyce Ellen Francine Adams Millard Tabbs, as she so curtly informed us all (often), was born on May 26th,1948, in St. Louis, Missouri to Mary Adams and Fred Millard. After her mother’s untimely death at the young age of 10, she and her older sister, Anita were raised by her loving father and their mother Carrie Millard. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister.

Joyce grew up in the loving supportive community of Brooklyn, Illinois where she was raised and baptized at Antioch Church. She attended school in District #188, and she often spoke of the closeness of her classmates, stating most of them started kindergarten together. Joyce graduated from Lovejoy High School where she developed a love of reading and the ability to correct our English. She was her classes’ Valedictorian. It was at Lovejoy Highschool she met her husband, Albert Lee Tabbs and they were married in August 1965. Albert also preceded Joyce in death.

Joyce’s family was her sole focus, and she worried over and took care of them until the end, sometimes to the exclusion of her own needs. Joyce was a free spirit, she believed in family, education, and having a good time. She valued loyalty, honesty, and authenticity. Her wit was razor sharp and she was known to say the most shocking thing she could think of, in hopes of causing a stir. She made her whole family laugh with her sometimes outrageous and silly sayings.

Joyce worked for local business in East St. Louis as a Bookkeeper, and she retired from Famous Barr in St. Louis, Missouri. She was kind, generous and compassionate. She was fiercely independent and private. She loved her entire family, despite their peculiar quirks. She worried about them, rooted for them, and protected them. Joyce will be desperately missed by all those that she’s left behind. Our hearts are so broken by this unexpected loss. She was one of a kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed.

Joyce entered into eternal rest on February 25, 2022, while she slept. Joyce is survived by her loving family: her children, Karashia A. Tabbs, and Aron L. (Carla) Tabbs, Sr.; her grandchildren; Ariel (Adrian, II) Tabbs-Brooks, Javaughn (Paasia) Tabbs, Briel (Kyle) Tabbs, Aron L. Tabbs, Jr., Alexa Tabbs; her great grandchildren, Andercyn, Addycyn, Adrian III, Kendrick, Jr., Kaysen, Leviticus, Yasín and Bleux Kaí, and her nephew and nieces, Marvis Millard, Fredericka Cooper, and Elnita (Dennis, Sr.) Miller; her daughter in law, Bredett Tabbs and the Edwards’ family; her Madea, Emma Lockett; and a host of family and friends.