Helen Joyce Neville

Helen Joyce (Lefman) Neville, 97, of Odessa, Mo., formerly of Lexington, Mo., passed away on April 8, 2025 at her home.

Joyce was born on July 18, 1927 at the Lefman family farm in Mayview, Missouri and graduated from Mayview High School in 1946. On February 14, 1947 she married the love of her life, Edward "Junior" Neville and they celebrated 55 years of marriage before he predeceased her on January 31, 2002.

Joyce worked for many years at the Lafayette County Courthouse and as a Probate paralegal. Her memories of the main Courtroom, including her scale drawing of it made when she was 94 years old, are essential in the ongoing restoration of the Courtroom to its original appearance. In her free time, Joyce enjoyed gardening, making clothing, jigsaw puzzles, word games, reading, and travel. Her back yard garden was featured on the Lexington Garden Tour. Over the years, Joyce made many prom and bridesmaid dresses for friends and family. Joyce knitted over 100 caps and blankets for stillborn babies born at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, a project that was close to her heart.

Joyce joins in Heaven her mother, Rosalie Marie Lefman Woolf; her husband, Junior Neville; and her infant son, Keith Edward Neville. She is survived by her daughter, Jayne Neville of Lexington, Missouri; her son, Jim Neville and daughter-in-law Kristy of Odessa; grandson Dylan Neville and granddaughter-in-law Samantha of Richmond, Missouri; granddaughter Kennedy Neville and grandson-in-law Zach Neuner of Kansas City, Missouri; grandson Cale Neville of Odessa, Missouri; great-grandsons Thomas Neville and Michael Neville, both of Richmond, Missouri; and special friend Sheila Hilker of Lee's Summit, Missouri.

Services are pending.