Joyce Miller Wells

Joyce Wells of Colorado Springs peacefully went home early October 2025. Born in Durant, Oklahoma, Joyce was the cherished only child of Wayne and Elsie Miller, who named her “Joyce” because she brought them such joy from the very beginning.

Her early years were shaped by her father’s work as a civil engineer, leading the family to live in many places. They settled in East Tennessee from 1941 to 1950 where Joyce graduated from Oak Ridge High School. The family later returned to Oklahoma where Joyce earned a degree in art education from the University of Oklahoma in 1954. Her love for learning and teaching led her to pursue a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Denver. Joyce was a teacher throughout various times in her life, sharing her passion for reading and helping countless children discover the magic of books.

In 1953, Joyce met the love of her life, Frank David Wells, at a statewide conference of Disciples Student Fellowship college students. On their first date they discovered a shared love of square dancing that sparked a lifelong partnership. They were married on June 16, 1956, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During their marriage they moved to Denver, Colorado and later to Los Alamos, New Mexico where they raised a family. After retirement they settled in Colorado Springs. There they became active members of the International Dance Club, where they spent many joyful years dancing side by side.

Joyce’s creativity and grace extended into her hobbies-she found joy in sewing, weaving, quilting, and playing the piano. She served as the pianist for Bryce Avenue Presbyterian Church and Covenant Christian School in Los Alamos, offering her musical gifts to uplift others.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, David. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Kearns; son, Chris (Yolanda) Wells; sister-in-law, Lola Moore; grandchildren, Zack Wells, Kyla (Andrew) Kepson, Devin and Jessica Kearns; and great-grandchildren Aubreelynn Wells, Thayer and Alden Kepson, all of whom will continue to cherish her memory.

A committal service to honor Joyce’s life and reunite her with her beloved husband will be held at Evergreen Cemetery at Lot 210 on Monday October 27, 2025 at 11 am. Weather permitting coffee will be served at 10:30 am.