Mrs. Joyce Carolyn Bays Sullins, 69, of Bella Vista, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2011 after a brief illness. She was the recipient of a bilateral lung transplant in 1998.

Joyce was born on August 21, 1941 in Crossett to James Leslie and Mary Ellen Jones Bays. She was a Methodist, a member of Chapter DH, PEO, in Bella Vista and was a former member of Chapter D in Blytheville. She served on numerous committees in her communities of Blytheville and Bella Vista.

She was instrumental in establishing the Blytheville Leadership Institute and the PRIDE Committee in Bella Vista. She was a past Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Blytheville.

Joyce enjoyed her retirement and home in Bella Vista where she loved watching the deer, fox and numerous other animals visiting her yard; however, she enjoyed most of all making memories with her beloved grandchildren.

She was preceded in death in addition to her parents by a brother, Jimmy Bays, a nephew; and a brother in law, Felton Burt of Diboll, Texas.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Dr. John Sullins of Bella Vista; two daughters, Deborah Kay Brown and husband, Ed, of Rogers, and Mary Leslie Wingate and husband, Steve, of Dallas, Texas; a son, Paul John Sullins and wife, Amy, of Dell; a sister, Peggy Burt of Diboll Texas; a brother-in-law, Neal Sullins and wife, Nanette, of Seattle, Washington; a sister-in-law, Jane Olson and husband, John, of Manchester, Massachusetts; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Graveside services and burial will be 10 a.m., Friday, May 6 in the Crossroad Cemetery with Rev. Terrie Lynn Bunnell officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials planned be made in Joyce's name to the Arkansas Northeastern College Foundation, Post Office Box 1109, Blytheville, AR 72315.