Joyce F. Brown

Joyce Crawley Brown passed away peacefully at Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center at Mercy Health on March 16, 2026. 

Joyce was born in Paducah, KY to Joseph Thomas and Milodean May Riley Crawley. 

She was first of all a loving mother who kept track of her family and let them know she loved them dearly.  Joyce was baptized at the age of 16 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Paducah. She was presently a member of Pleasant Grove Church in Marshall County. 

Joyce was a graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School where she was a cheerleader, a member of the National Honor Society and on the football Homecoming Queen Court. She earned a Bachelor of Science at Murray State University as well as a Master’s Degree and also Rank I. She was a dedicated school teacher for 27 years in Mayfield, Christian County and Marshall County, teaching subjects from math to biology, as well as her first love English. Joyce was known for her lively presence in the classroom. She kept her students in line, often with a bit of flair, and made sure lessons were learned both academically and in life. After her retirement she enjoyed teaching home bound students in Marshall County for seven years. 

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, the father of her children, Barney Thweatt, her husband, Wesley Coffman, brother, William Doyle Crawley, and grandson, Nicholas Ray Thweatt. 

She is survived by her husband Alan “Barc” Brown, her son Mark Thweatt of Hopkinsville, KY, daughter Gretchen Johnson (Stephen) of Murfreesboro, TN and Shannon Copeland (Drew) of Gilbertsville, KY. Joyce cherished her grandchildren Crystal Lynn Thweatt, Hillary Morgan Copeland, Carly Rae Copeland Prince (Danny), and her great grands Kamdynn Rayne Thweatt and Stevie Rae Prince. She is also survived by Connie Allison, extended family members of the Brown and Coffman families, and was loved by her three special friends Paula Beshears, Jeanne Van Coppenolle and Kay Campbell. 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Collier Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Coman officiating.  Burial will follow at Thweatt Cemetery.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 am until 11:00 am on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Collier Funeral Home, 211 W 5^th St, Benton, KY 42025.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Thweatt Cemetery c/o Shannon Copeland 58 Seven Oaks Lane Gilbertsville, KY 42044 and Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center at Mercy Health, 1530 Lone Oak Rd, Benton, KY 42025.