Ruby Joyce Pemberton

Ruby "Joyce" Pemberton, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away Thursday, September 3rd, 2026, surrounded by her family at her home.

She was born on November 7, 1930, in Muenster, Texas, to James Willie and Eula Mae (Tucker) Pond. She married Robert James "Bob" Pemberton on August 14, 1948, in Farwell, Texas. Together, they made their home in Clovis, New Mexico, where they raised their three daughters.

Joyce was an Avon Lady for over 50 years, maintaining President's Club many of those years as she made many lasting customer-friends. In 2014, she and Bob moved to Topeka to live closer to family. Over the years, all three daughters had ties to the Topeka area at various times: Teri (John) Culberth, Dironda (Ray) Thurlow, and Cathy (Sam) Norris.

Joyce spent many hours at her sewing machine, creating beautiful dresses for her daughters and granddaughters, as well as colorful quilts. She also perfected the skill of canning and baking to manage the bountiful harvest coming from Bob's gardens. They both found great joy in sharing these items with neighbors, family, and friends. To know Bob and Joyce meant experiencing their God-given desire to share and care for others.

Survivors include her daughter, Cathy (Sam) Norris; her sisters, Anna Andrews and Linda Perez; ten grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents; 5 siblings; her daughters, Teri Culberth and Dironda Thurlow; and great-granddaughter, Ashlynn "Bob" Williams.

A combined funeral service for Bob and Joyce will be held on Saturday, September 12th at 10:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church of Silver Lake, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages those who wish to honor Bob and Joyce's memory to make a donation to a favorite charity.