Joyce M. Sanford

Joyce M. Sanford passed away on Monday, May 5, 2025 in Fishers, Indiana. She was born on January 04, 1937 to Jessie and Mary E. Hill in Youngstown, Ohio. She was the youngest of eight children. Joyce’s parents and siblings preceded her in death.

Joyce accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. During her early years she attended Tabernacle Baptist Church where she served as secretary of the junior choir. She graduated from Rayan High School in 1955. After graduating high school, she attended Youngstown College School of Business for two years.

Joyce moved to Chicago, IL in 1962. After relocating she attended various churches for five years. In 1967 she joined Mozart Baptist Church. She left the church in 1977.

Joyce started working for the City of Chicago Board of Education in 1964. She worked there until 1974.

Joyce started working for the Social Security administration (SSA) in 1974. She worked there until she retired in 2004 after 30 years of devoted service.

In 1977 she joined Full Gospel Church where she met Evangelist Bessie Raymond. This relationship would have a significant impact on Joyce. Evangelist Raymond mentored Joyce and invited her to join the evangelist’s prayer group. Joyce volunteered in the church serving as a Sunday School teacher and President of the Missionary Group.

In 1977, Joyce married James Sanford. They were married until James went home to be with The Lord in 1989.

While working at SSA in the early 1980’s, Joyce started reading the bible with a co-worker during breaks and lunch-time. From that small beginning, The Lord added more people to the bible study and they begin to pray in the stairwell at morning break, eat lunch together and study the bible together at afternoon break. The prayer group was eventually given the name GLPSC Prayer Group. Joyce saw many people commit their lives to following Jesus and receive healing. Although, all of the members have retired from SSA, the Prayer Group has remained intact to this date.

Joyce attended Wheaton Christian Center (WCC) under the leadership of Pastor Carlton Arthurs from 1980-2001. Joyce sought Pastor Arthurs advice and guidance for help with leading the Prayer Group at work. Also, while attending WCC she was lead of the Lord to begin feeding the homeless. Joyce approached a church member that she knew and asked her to join her in the venture. In 1991, they began to prepare food and go out to the streets of Chicago to feed the homeless, give out clothes/toiletries and share the gospel with them. As other people joined the ministry it grew over the years until it became an official part of WCC. At that time, Joyce and her team started preparing meals and served lunch at the church on Sundays. In 2000 the ministry was officially named El Shaddai’s Wings Outreach Ministry.

After leaving Wheaton Christian Center in 2001, she attended Chicagoland Christian Center for several years. In 2005, Joyce left Chicagoland Christian Center and joined Family Christian Center (FCC) in Munster, IN. During this time, Joyce and her ministry team continued to go out and minister to the homeless in the city of Chicago until around 2015. Joyce was a faithful member of FCC serving in various capacities for many years.

Joyce was affectionally known as “Mother Joyce”. She was a woman who truly loved God and lived according to biblical principles. She loved to encourage people, pray for them and see God transform their lives. Mother Joyce had a passion to reach those who did not know Jesus as Lord and Savior with the gospel (especially the homeless and those bound by addictions). The Lord used Mother Joyce to mentor several people in the “Christian faith” throughout her life.

Mother Joyce enjoyed cooking and entertaining family and friends. She loved to travel. Also, as a young woman, she learned to sew and became proficient enough to make her own clothes.

Joyce leaves fond memories in the hearts of a host of relatives, friends and The GLPSC Prayer Group: Min. Addie Branch, Katie Clausell, Louise Harms, Annette Johnson, Grace Nance and Bertha Wyatt.

Acknowledgment

There are those whose lives cannot be diminish by death. Their love radiates forever in the hearts of all who knew them. Mother Joyce, many felt the love in your prayers and your thoughtfulness. A friendly smile, a hug, a phone call, a visit, these are the things that meant so much. May God continue to bless us all with His mercy and grace.