Elizabeth Joyce Cowdery (nee Turner) passed away peacefully March 18 In Silver Spring Maryland.

She was born in Denver, Colorado, on September 20, 1929 to the late George Fredrick Turner and Bertha Anne Norman Turner and grew up with sister Barbara Turner Coogan. Joyce was a sweet, loving mother of eight children and devoted wife to Bob, her lifelong companion. They were married for 64 years. Joyce married Robert Eddy (Bob) Cowdery on September 10, 1949. She met Bob while working at a soda fountain in Colorado. Joyce attended Greely State College and transferred to University of Denver Colorado Seminary in 1948. In 1950 Joyce was awarded an Honorary Degree of PHT , "certifying that she is a graduate from the trial and tribulation of Putting her Husband Through the University of Colorado and is entitled to all the Rights and Privileges thereunto appertaining."

Joyce and Bob lived and raised their family in Anne Arundel County, Md. They first lived in Glen Burnie and then to Rugby Hall in Arnold, MD. While living in Maryland, she studied Law at Anne Arundel Community College but didn't complete her studies because of family responsibilities which always came first for her. Joyce worked during the '70's and '80's for the Maryland Legislature at the information desk and bill organizer. Joyce and Bob moved to Lake Monticello, VA, after Bob retired from Westinghouse.  Joyce and Bob were very active taking classes in Charlottesville, Joyce loved her swimming group and Bob loved bird carving. Joyce was an avid reader, daily reading the newspaper, countless magazines and books.   Joyce loved to sing the old standards from the '40's and 50's, especially with her sister Barbara. It didn't require a special event to inspire Joyce to sing, she just loved it.   She was the consummate wearer/collector of hats (from attractive to silly), having a different one to wear for each and every occasion, or for no other reason than just to wear one. I'm sure her collection rivaled Hedda Hopper's. Joyce loved studying foreign languages and was a good writer. An excellent seamstress, Joyce made her oldest daughter, Cristy's wedding gown as well as all the daughters' early wardrobes. A spirited crafter, she was always involved in several projects at the same time, making cards and decorations for her family's birthdays and holidays celebrated at her children's homes or at her and Bob's home. Until Joyce and Bob moved to Riderwood Village in Silver Spring, MD, from their home in Lake Monticello, VA, they hosted the family Christmas gathering. All their children, their spouses and grandchildren, cousins and friends would spend several days celebrating the holiday and being together as a family.  She and Bob loved to celebrate Thanksgiving at their home and occasionally at their childrens' homes, and the Annual Crab feast – usually at the home of Tom & Brenda.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her son Timothy who passed away in 1980 and husband Robert Eddy Cowdery, who passed away on March 23, 2013. Joyce is survived by seven children – Cristy Walker (William), Daniel Cowdery (Kathi), Thomas Cowdery ( Brenda), Andrew Cowdery (Bonnie), Matthew Cowdery ( Evelyn), Patricia Cowdery (John Blisard) and Barbara Cowdery, fourteen grandchildren – Joshua Cowdery, Benjamin Cowdery, Adam Cowdery, Laura Cowdery, Jesse Walker, Luke Walker, Noah Walker, Robert Cowdery, Emma Cowdery, Anna Cowdery, Nathan Cowdery, Diana Cowdery, Sarah Cowdery, Perry Cowdery and eight great-grandchildren – Dylan, Harper, Jacob, Reese, Alena, Jack , Rosie Lee , Riley Layton and two on the way.   Instead of flowers or donations, spend some time with your family, sing some songs, and watch an old movie. Joyce would love that. A celebration of her life will be held at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home in Severna Park, Maryland on April 5 ^th at 1 p.m.