Karen Kay Joyce-Wells

Karen Kay Joyce-Wells was born on June 28, 1961, in Omaha, Nebraska at Offutt Air Force Base. She was the oldest of three children born to Walter Joyce, Sr. and Helen Joyce. Her father, and brother, Walter Joyce Jr. preceded her in death.

Born to an Airman Karen had the pleasure of living in Thailand and England along with various states to include Nebraska, Missouri, and California as she moved with her family for her father’s duty stations.

Karen graduated from Riverview High where she played Field Hockey and was an avid “marching band groupie,” as she called it, proudly supporting all her best friends who were in marching band.

Karen started her working career as a teenager working at Arby’s, moving up the ranks to manager before being asked to move over to McDonald’s as a General Manager and eventually being promoted to District Manager. She continued working for McDonald’s Corporation through moves to Oklahoma and Illinois before making the decision to undertake one of her most beloved roles, becoming a full-time stay at home mom to her daughter when the Army took her family back to Missouri and then to Maryland. After several years of being a stay-at-home mom she went back to school at the age of 47 to become a teacher, showing her daughter that no matter what age you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Upon graduating from Frostburg State University with her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, she accepted a job at Monocacy Elementary School where she spent the next 13 years teaching in kindergarten and 1st grade. She loved her school community, poured her heart into each student that she taught, and cherished her time as a Monocacy Gator.

Karen loved to travel and cherished the time that she got to spend seeing sites all across the world. She frequently spoke fondly of her trips to Hawaii and her best friends that she had with her. She enjoyed cruises to the Bahamas, Greece, Italy, Croatia and Montenegro and her European trip in which she got to see sites in Germany, Amsterdam, and Paris. Other than travelling she loved spending time with her friends and family never passing up the opportunity to grab coffee at Starbucks. She loved spending time with her daughter and the many adventures that they had together. She proudly cheered for her beloved St. Louis Cardinals, a love she shared closely with her brother and daughter amongst other family members, and she took every opportunity possible to catch a Cards game in person. Most of all though she loved God and lived a life filled with faith and charity.

Karen was an active member in her community volunteering as room mom for several years in her daughter’s classrooms and in the library at Mother Seton School. She participated in PWOC at Fort Detrick Chapel as well as singing in the choir at Sunday masses and being a CCD teacher. She participated in VBS for many years at Ft. Detrick serving as the music coordinator and for some years helping to plan VBS as a whole. She took every opportunity she could to help someone else in need in whichever way she could whether it be a stranger on the street, a friend, or a family member.

On October 14, 2026, at 1:06 am, at the age of 65, she said goodbye and continued on her heavenly journey.

In addition to her brother and father she is preceded in death by her two loving pups Brandi Kay and Kiley Moo. She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Kourtney Wells; brother, Bryan Joyce (Sharon); and sister, Lynn Watkins (Charles); mother, Helen Joyce; nieces, Cierstyn Joyce and Brooke Joyce; nephew, Tyrone Perkins II; great niece, Ayva Perkins; and great nephews, Karter Malone and Tyrone Perkins III along with a host of extended family and friends.

 A Celebration of Life will take place Friday, November 6, 2026, 2:00PM at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Oppossumtown Pike Frederick, MD 21702

Acknowledgement of Thanks 

Our entire family extends love, thanks, and blessings to all who offered their support to us during our time of need. Your visits, phone calls, texts, cards, thoughts, and prayers helped strengthen and encourage us.

Thank you and God Bless.