Joyce Lee McGhee

Joyce Lee McGhee was born June 3, 1941 in Kansas City, Missouri.  She entered into rest on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at the age of 78 at Cox Medical Center, Branson.

Joyce was the daughter of Harley J. & Betty Jean (Teters) Kunkler.  She grew up in Kansas City and graduated in the class of 1959 from Wyandotte High School.  She then entered Bethany Hospital’s Registered Nursing Program, earning her RN.  Joyce also received a Master’s Degree in Administration and Psychology at Park University in Parkville, MO.  She worked for Bethany Hospital, Job Corps and St. Luke’s in Kansas City and then took her nursing, administration and compassion skills to work in nursing homes and with Hospice Compassus in Branson.

Joyce was amazing at loving and caring for people.  She had a large extended family and enjoyed spending time with her cousins.  She also loved her beloved Table Rock Lake where she lived for 35 years.  She enjoyed taking her family and furry friends out on the pontoon to fish and swim.  She also enjoyed traveling, especially to Brazil.  Joyce had a sparkly personality to go with her sparkly hat and clothes.  “If it doesn’t shine, it ain’t mine” was Joyce’s motto.  She was a proud member of the Branson Red Hats and anticipated spending time with her friends at their gatherings.  Joyce will be remembered for her love of dogs and cats.  She had four dogs, Angel, Sissy, BJ and Zoie that she cherished along with her grandpup, Cocoa.  Most of all though, Joyce was a loving mother, sister, Granny and Gigi and will be missed beyond measure.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and two half-sisters, Phyllis and Patricia.

She is survived by her daughters, Kelly Guthrie and husband Bill of Branson and Kimberly Mills of Branson; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Mills of Kansas City, Christopher Mills of Lenexa, KS, Amy Blackshear and husband Christopher of Ridgedale and David Guthie and wife Jeri of Lenexa; four great grandchildren, Si, Tommy, Emma and Hailey; her sister, Judy Toole of Maryville, TN; brother Billy Kunkler of Fort Myers, FL and half-brother Tom Teters.

The family will hold a private gathering to celebrate Joyce’s life.  Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory, Branson. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made in Joyce’s memory to Hospice Compassus, 3044 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, Suite 200, Branson, MO  65616.

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