Joyce Ann Finney, aged 84, of Niotaze, Kansas, peacefully passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at CRMC in Coffeyville, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born in Olathe, Colorado, Joyce was the youngest of seven children born to Ernest Clarence and Dollie Ann (Wade) Barr, with a remarkable nineteen-year gap between her and the next youngest sibling. She spent her early years in Olathe, where her father managed a skating rink and coal business, before moving with her family to Delta, where she completed her high school education. Joyce carried her love for music into her college years at Pasadena College (now Point Loma Nazarene University) in Pasadena, California, captivating audiences as she played piano and sang with various traveling groups, often performing on the radio.
After college, Joyce settled in Denver, where she worked in several roles and met the love of her life, Kyle Finney. They were united in marriage on June 6, 1964, at the Englewood Nazarene Church in Englewood, Colorado. Their journey together took them to various homes, in, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado , before they returned to Niotaze, Kansas—Kyle’s hometown—a place Joyce once jested she would never choose to live but ultimately came to cherish deeply.
Transitioning from city life to the rhythms of farm living, Joyce embraced the rural lifestyle alongside Kyle. Together, they raised cattle, chickens, horses, and cared for barn cats and dogs. She found joy and fulfillment in flower gardening and cultivating a vibrant collection of iris varieties that blossomed in her expansive yard.
Music remained a heartfelt part of Joyce’s life. She generously shared her talent by playing piano for her church, organizing numerous musical programs and musicals, and supporting funeral dinners with grace and dedication. After returning to Niotaze, she became the beloved matriarch of her family, thoughtfully coordinating family reunions that strengthened bonds and created lasting memories.
Despite facing health challenges that limited her physically, Joyce’s spirit and commitment never waned. She continued to serve her community through volunteer work and civic duties, embodying resilience, and kindness. As a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Joyce was known for her warm hospitality and remarkable culinary skills, delighting her family with home-cooked meals and baked treats. Later in life, she embraced a new passion as an interior designer, where her innate talent for harmonizing color, style, and comfort was evident—not only in the homes she transformed but also in her own elegant personal style.
Joyce’s loving legacy lives on through her devoted husband, Kyle; her son, Jeff Finney; her daughter, Judith Davis, and her husband, Jerry; and her cherished grandchildren Braden Finney, Landon Finney, Nathaniel Davis, and Shawn Davis. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and two sisters.
A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas. Family and friends are invited to gather from 1 p.m. until service time. Following the service, Joyce will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Niotaze. In her honor, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Niotaze Community Center and may be sent in care of the chapel. To share condolences, memories, or view the service live, please visit Joyce’s obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com.
