Joyce Farmer Collins

Joyce Farmer Collins, age 80, of Cleveland, Mississippi, peacefully passed away on October 29, 2025.  She was the youngest of four children, born on October 2, 1945, in Lexington, Mississippi, to Coyier and Mary Alice Farmer. 

Mrs. Collins is survived by her devoted daughter, Kim Collins Rayburn of Madison, Mississippi, and her beloved grandson, Samuel Thomas Rayburn IV (Sam) of Oxford, Mississippi.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, James Edward (Eddie) Collins.

A proud graduate of Lexington High School, Joyce went on to attend Delta State University, where she met Eddie, the love of her life. Together, they settled in Cleveland, Mississippi, where they raised their daughter and founded a very successful business. 

For more than two decades, Joyce worked with the Bolivar County Community Action Agency, where her compassion and steady dedication touched the lives of countless families through programs supporting education, nutrition, and essential needs across the Delta. 

Joyce found deep joy in the simple beauty of everyday life.  She was an avid birdwatcher, a wonderful cook, and a devoted gardener to her backyard. She loved her mornings on the sun porch with a fresh cup of coffee, watching the world come alive around her. 

Joyce proudly called herself a television program connoisseur, with a true fondness for The Voice and Chicago P.D. — two of her very favorites when she wasn’t cheering on SEC football or basketball. Like the rest of her family, she loved football season, but SEC basketball always lit the biggest spark in her each year. 

Her faithful white lab, Lovey Pearl, was her constant companion and a true source of comfort and joy. Above all, her heart overflowed with pride whenever she spoke of her grandson, Sam.  Her circle of lifelong friends, affectionately known as the “Sistas”— Susu Therrell, Beverly Hardy, Susan Hawkins, Sharon Buchanan, Carolyn Cox, Glenda Causey, and Anita Griffith brought her decades of laughter, love, and cherished memories and would have lovingly served as her honorary pallbearers. 

In honor of Joyce’s life, the family will hold a private memorial service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cleveland-Bolivar County Animal Shelter, 200 West Carpenter Street, Cleveland, Mississippi 38732; (662) 846-1155.

Cleveland Funeral Home has been honored to serve Joyce's family during this difficult time.