Joyce Cope Wyatt

Joyce Cope Wyatt, a faithful follower of Jesus, loving Mother and Abuelita, missionary, teacher, scholar, mentor, friend and a feisty East Tennesean, stepped into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Thursday, April 24. She was 97. Born in Rogersville, TN, she learned from her parents, E.A. and Birdie Mae Cope about service to others and the love of Jesus. A bright academic mind, she was valedictorian at both her high school and later Lincoln Memorial University (LMU). Called to missions as a young woman, she went to Southern Seminary where she earned her first of three masters degrees, as well as caught the eye of a young theology student, Roy Wyatt, who would become her husband and co-labourer on the mission field and beyond for almost 60 years. Together they served in Spain, Chile and Colombia as missionary educators,finishing their career at the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Cali, Colombia. They were a true partnership both at home and in their work as Seminary professors and missionaries. The parents of Michael, Kathryn and Debbi, they taught them about authentic Christianity and lived their faith in the home and community. Joyce loved to be a teacher and also became a published author, writing a book geared to women in Latin America - Soy mujer, soy especial. It would later be translated into other languages, including English, and served to affirm women with a message of confidence and hope. She also wrote a book on aging well and another on dying, following the death of her daughter, Kathryn. Upon retirement Roy and Joyce settled in Knoxville and became active members of Central Baptist Church, Bearden. They served and loved and were loved in return by so many, especially their special Sunday School class, who truly became family through the years. Although Joyce endured much loss, including the death of both Kathryn and Michael, as well as Roy and her deeply loved parents and sister, Annis, she remained firm in her faith and commitment to make the world a better place. A strong believer in education, she established scholarships at the Seminary in Colombia, her alma mater of LMU and Carson Newman. A deep love for Spanish-speaking people continued throughout her life and she was instrumental in creating Tu Dia, a special day for Spanish-speaking women in Knoxville, as well as advocating for the needs of the immigrant and the stranger in the land. Into her 90s, she taught Sunday School, a weekly Bible Study, English as a second language and tutored high school students. It was only in the last year she seemed to slow down as her age caught up with her. A few weeks shy of turning 98, she passed away after receiving compassionate care at Morningpointe. She leaves behind many who mourn the void she will leave yet rejoice in having known her and are confident in the knowledge she is rejoicing in Heaven. She is survived and missed by her daughter, Debbi Wyatt Christinck, son-in-law David Mee (Bonnie) and grandchildren Jonathan Mee (Jo), Daniel Mee (Jen), Charlotte Crockett (Luke), Stephen Mee (Stephanie), Nathan Mee (Liz), Andrew Mee (Tessa), Elisa Dudenhoffer (Dan), Robert Christinck, Karen Ford (James) and Sam Christinck, as well as 20 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Ann Jones and nephew Roy Jones (Anna) and Lisa Baldyga (John) and their families. Predeceased by her parents, sister, husband, son and daughter, as well as her brother-in-law John Jones, son-in-law Ralph Christinck and granddaughter-in-law, Ellen Mee. The family would be grateful for donations to the Wyatt scholarship for the International Baptist Seminary in Cali, Colombia, made through Central Baptist Bearden, Knoxville. Funeral service on Tuesday, April 29 at 10:30 at Central Baptist Church Bearden, with visitation immediately following. Burial at Highland Cemetery in Rogersville at 4 p.m.

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Joyce Cope Wyatt

May 13, 1927 - April 24, 2025