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Warm, funny, vibrant, and generous, Joyce loved to laugh, dance, sing, and keep rhythm by tapping her rings.

Joyce Ann Garrison Skramstad, 79, of Gloucester City, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and her devoted husband, Arvin.

Born on October 25, 1946, in Camden, New Jersey, Joyce was the daughter of Harvey and Ruth Garrison and grew up in Gloucester City. She graduated from Gloucester City High School, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana, and later completed a teaching certificate in early childhood development at Camden County College.

Joyce spent many years at Small World Nursery School, where she began as an assistant and went on to serve as teacher, lead teacher, and finally director until the school closed. She also served on the Gloucester City Juvenile Conference Committee.

Faith was at the center of Joyce’s life. She began attending Highland Park Church of God as a teenager, and it remained her church home for the rest of her life. She served as a Sunday school teacher, President of the Ladies Missionary Society, a choir member, and church custodian. She loved God deeply and lived her faith through service, kindness, and care for others.

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She had a natural gift for caring for people.

Joyce married Arvin Skramstad on January 13, 1973. Together they shared more than 53 years of marriage and built a life centered on faith, family, laughter, and love. She was a devoted mother to Amy, Arvin Jr. (“Little Arvin”), and Brandon, adored her son-in-law, Chad, and was a deeply loved Nana to Dalton and Abigail. Her children and grandchildren were among the greatest joys of her life, and she delighted in being part of everything they did.

Warm, funny, vibrant, and generous, Joyce loved to laugh, dance, sing, and keep rhythm by tapping her rings. She was wonderfully organized and known for keeping everything running on schedule. She hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve for the family, loved birds and the outdoors, traveled to almost every state and as far as Croatia, and took in more stray cats than she could think of names for. She had a natural gift for caring for people. Whether she was preparing a meal, helping a child, serving her church, caring for a friend or relative, or simply being there when someone needed her, she gave of herself freely.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Arvin; her daughter, Amy, and her husband, Chad; her son, Brandon; her grandchildren, Dalton and Abigail; and her brother, Harvey Garrison, and his wife, Debbie. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Ruth Garrison, and her son, Arvin Jr., lovingly known as “Little Arvin.”

She will be remembered for her faith, her laughter, her devotion to family, and the love she gave so freely to those around her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Highland Park Church of God, 111 Baynes Avenue, Gloucester City, New Jersey, where her celebration of life service will follow at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Highland Park Church of God, 111 Baynes Avenue, Gloucester City, NJ 08030.

“Her children arise and call her blessed.” — Proverbs 31:28

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