Joyce Elaine Armstrong

Joyce Elaine (McIntyre) Armstrong was born October 14, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the second youngest of seven children of Calvin McIntyre, Sr.,
and Marie (Mitchell) McIntyre. Joyce was affectionately called “Jo Baby,” and was known to be very outspoken as a child. She was raised by loving parents on the Near North Side of Chicago on Larrabee Street and enjoyed numerous childhood activities along with her siblings. Her favorite pastimes were spent in Lincoln Park and swimming at North Avenue and Oak Street beaches. Because Chicago summers were so hot and the family had no air conditioning, mom would pack up lemonade and sandwiches that they would enjoy with each other frolicking in the parks. Joyce thrived while attending Edward Jenner Grammar School and then Harrison High School on the Near West Side of Chicago where she continued to live for many years.
Joyce accepted Christ at an early age and experienced various church affiliations over her entire life. While following her Christian faith, she was even blessed with the fortune of worshipping along with all three of her children under the leadership of Reverend Robert Moore at Love Tabernacle in Chicago, Illinois.
Joyce married at a very young age and was blessed with three adorable children during her lifetime. During her union with
Wendell T. Ewing, she was blessed with the birth of her daughter, Leslie Marie Ewing. During her union with Vernon Armstrong, Sr., she was blessed with two sons, Vernon Jr. and Brian Keith.
The most memorable employment experience was working at Blue Cross/Blue Shield for many years with various family members and friends. In 1975, Joyce experienced a life changing event, having won $1 million in the Illinois State Lottery. This event changed her family’s life tremendously, and her generosity blessed many over the years. Joyce enjoyed family the most— making them laugh with her colorful sense of humor was nothing but pure joy! In 1997, after many years of praying, she received an incredible gift of life, her grandson, Jordan Asher Isaacs. He is truly the love of her life. She devoted herself to assist in raising him to become a bright, compassionate, and caring individual. In return, Jordan devoted himself to the incredible caretaking of his grandmother while also balancing schoolwork.
After surviving two long bouts of breast cancer and various other health challenges, on October 12, 2022, “Sweet Jo,” affectionately called by “Leslie,” peacefully made her transition to dance with the angels. She joyfully rejoins in a celebratory reunion with her parents, Calvin Sr. and Marie McIntyre; siblings, Calvin (“Son”) McIntyre, Jr., Carolyn Faulkner, and Sandra Renee Dorris; former husband, Vernon Armstrong, Sr.; sons, Vernon Armstrong, Jr., and Brian Keith Armstrong; and Wendell T. Ewing, all of whom preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memories and celebrate her life: her daughter, Leslie Marie Ewing, grandson, Jordan Asher Isaacs, sisters, Peggy Jean Martinez (Frank) and Edwina (“Bean”) Holmes (Bob), brother, Ronald (“Ron”) McIntyre (Mae), and an enormous amount of loving family and friends

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