Nearly a Centenarian at the age of 99 1/2, our loving mother, Joyce Eloise Ronzheimer (Christmas, Bailey, Potter) passed into Eternal Life on June 26, 2022. With her mind remaining quite aware and her spirit strong, Joyce went on to be reunited with her many loved ones and believing friends. As much as she loved her full life, passions, and family remaining on earth, Joyce was also confident in her Lord and the plans he had for her in His eternal Kingdom. Today we join together in thanking God for our loving Mother.

Joyce Eloise was born to Myles Leonard Ronzheimer and Mabel Pearl MacAdam on January 28, 1923, in Rogers, North Dakota. She routinely accompanied her mother’s singing on the piano from the age of six and loved to read. After the birth of her sister, Merilyn, the family moved from Rogers to Valley City, North Dakota which she considered to be her hometown. There, she excelled in her academics, receiving honors from the National Honor Society, in band, journalism, and debate. She was credited for writing articles in the newspaper as well as sharing her musical compositions and prose at city events. Upon graduation from V.C.H.S, Joyce set her heart on nursing; receiving her undergraduate degree from Kahler’s School of Nursing at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and additionally studied for a specialization in pediatrics at the University of Chicago. She soon traveled to California and then across the country, eventually moving to Miami, Florida where she joined Jackson Memorial Hospital in the critical-care nursery unit. There, Joyce demonstrated her skills and love for children. She also handled those who were waiting to be adopted with special needs.

Shortly after the War in 1946, Joyce Ronzheimer met a returning Marine aviator, Randall Norton Christmas and they were married in 1947. Together, they worked until Randy finished his law degree from the University of Miami and was then honored to be selected for the Miami City Commission. He became the first elected mayor of Miami from 1954-57. In the mid 50’s, Joyce wrote and composed with a neighbor (Julia Prowse), a program that was acclaimed by the Miami Herald called “A Joyful Christmas Birthday — Birthday of a King”. It was appreciated by churches city-wide who were concerned that Christ needed to be returned to the true meaning of Christmas. Joyce represented the city of Miami as First Lady in travels to South America and Cuba with her husband. She was active in the Eastern Star, Junior League of Miami, Cocoplum Women’s’ Club. Due to the early illnesses in her daughter, Merrie’s life, the Miami City Commission chose to name the park on the corner of Barbarossa Avenue and LeJeune Road, “Merrie Christmas Park” where children still gather today for parties and picnics. Joyce and Randy were married for 13 years and had the four Christmas daughters: Janice Merilyn, Joyce Merrilee, Merrie Jean, and Holly Frances.

Joyce was a participating member of the Methodist Church in Valley City, as well as a leader in South Miami Methodist Church where she sang solos in the choir, led summer school, taught Sunday school, and conducted many music programs. She was a welcomed addition to the Coral Gables Methodist as well as the Kendall Dutch Reformed Church. But Joyce’s faith went well beyond the walls of a church, as she came to know the Holy Spirit under the spiritual mentorship of Pastors Tom and Jean Dunn in the Pinecrest area of Miami.

In 1961, Joyce Christmas was married to Sam Hynton Bailey, Jr of Miami and the two joined their lives to create a blended family: David John Bailey, the four Christmas girls, and their only daughter, Jacklyn Asbury Bailey. They made life-long friends with their church families, professional associations and at their favorite vacation spots in Naples, Florida, and North Georgia. They routinely danced, played Bridge, golf, tennis and loved to be with close friends and family picnicking at Matheson Hammock or boating on the Florida Keys. They were married nearly 17 years until his passing in 1978. She eventually decided to return to live in her hometown of Valley City, North Dakota where she led a weekly Bible study and sang with a group of friends at area functions. Her favorite group around town was “The Troubadours”. Joyce enjoyed being a part of the Aglow International for many years. She was married to Francis Potter also of Valley City, North Dakota for 14 years. She lived between Juno Beach and Raleigh, North Carolina with two of her daughters prior to retiring at Sheyenne Care in the fall of 2020.

Joyce’s serving, caring hands along with her personal testimony about Jesus Christ helped many along her life’s journey. She was loved and respected by all who knew her, and never seemed to grow tired of asking about “you”, nor praying for the things that concerned your life. Even in the past months she just kept going day by day; learning about her great grandchildren’s, nieces and nephew’s daily activities; viewing them and talking with them on her “Alexa”. Imagine… a life that was that well-lived; a life filled with “thinking about others that will always keep us thinking of her”.

Joyce is survived by her daughters: Janice Christmas Jenkins (John) of Virginia and grandson, Carlton Crabtree; Joyce Christmas Lloyd of North Dakota and grandsons, Thomas Lloyd and Nicolas Brosz; Holly Christmas Wallace (Bill) of North Carolina, granddaughter Randi Wallace, grandsons Troy and Trent Wallace; Jacklyn Bailey Chwalik (Jay) and grandsons, Jason and James Chwalik; and her 8 great grandchildren. Additionally, she leaves a niece, Terri Richie Shikany of Miami, Florida and nephew, Eugene Myles Richie of Jacksonville, Florida, and their respective families.

Please join us in honoring her remarkable Life at a memorial service that will be held on August 20th, 2022, at 2:00pm in the Epworth Methodist Church of Valley City, North Dakota.

In loving memory of Joyce, cards may be sent to Holly Wallace 5309 Annabel Drive, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina 27526, and in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the SMP Health – Saint Raphael 979 Central Avenue North, Valley City North Dakota, 58702.

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