Joyce A. Zinn

Joyce Aileen (Camren) Zinn, 84, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Labette Health in Parsons, Kansas, after being in failing health for several years.  Joyce had resided at the Good Samaritan Society in Parsons.

Joyce was born on June 2, 1940, in Chautauqua, Kansas, to Charles Virgil and Lela Rue (Avery) Camren.  The family moved from Kansas to California for a few years, then relocated to Pawhuska, Oklahoma, and on to Parsons, Kansas, in 1961.

In 1957, Joyce married Little Joe Ward, her childhood sweetheart in Pawhuska.  Having completed her high school education, Joyce attended trade school to become a beautician.  She and her family moved to Parsons in 1961.  Little Joe passed away in 1969.  A few years later, Joyce and Loyd Zinn were united in marriage and were married for 19 years.

Joyce spent over 42 years as a hairdresser and owned her own shops for several years.  The most recent was the Silhouette Beauty Salon in Parsons.  Her other employment consisted of six years as a bookkeeper for JC Penney's in Parsons and a women's clothing store in Franklin, Louisiana, while living there for a few years.  After she and her family returned to Parsons, Joyce spent many years helping her dad, Virgil, at Red Barn Sales in Parsons.  They both retired after closing Red Barn Sales after 50 years in business.

Joyce spent 45 plus years as an excellent bowler competing in many local, state and regional tournaments.  She earned numerous trophies and recognition for her achievements.

Fond memories of Joyce are raising her children and three of her grandchildren, many of those years as a single mother.  She worked hard and at times at multiple jobs to make ends meet.  She reminded her children and grandchildren of their full names quite often when they were in trouble.  A very compassionate and caring person, Joyce was known as mom and grandma to many other children in the community and she considered them her own as well.

Survivors include:

Five children – Jo A. Ward-Hill (Bob McCurry); Chris L. Ward (Ethel); Sandra K. Ward; Charles M. Ward; and Rodney Zinn (Rebecca)

Three grandchildren she raised – Kimberly Byrd (John); Ashley Ward (Ryan); and Kristina White (Jerry)

Nine grandchildren

12 great-grandchildren

Three great-great-grandchildren

One sister – Kay Kraft

Numerous nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Camren, in 2017; her mother, Lela Camren, in 2005; her first husband, Little Joe Ward, in 1969; her second husband, Loyd Zinn, in 2011; her granddaughter, Tammy Lynn Hill-Pitre, in 2017; great-granddaughter, Nichole Dawn Ward, in 2013; daughter-in-law, Marsha (Hinman) Ward, in 1997; and sister, Vera Rae Crouch, in 2011

The memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., May 2, 2025, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.