Joyce Eliza Mathews Forman

Joyce Eliza Mathews Forman was born September 18, 1932, in Panaca, Nevada, with her twin sister Janice Ella. The twins were the youngest of five children, with older siblings Leslie Earl, Wesley Ira, and Edna Jenalyn. Although their mother, Dora Cecil Wadsworth, passed away 6 months after her birth, she was always part of a loving family. Her Father, Earl Leslie Mathews, married Catherine Hunt in 1937. This blended family welcomed new siblings Jonathan Earl, Neldon Carlyle, and Douglas H. When Joyce's father passed away, Catherine continued raising all seven children and later married Franklin Frederick Ernst in 1943. Catherine and Franklin welcomed four more children to the family: Myrna Sue, Franklin Alma, Sarah Kathryn, and Clarence Timothy. Joyce loved being part of a "three-in-one" family. She often recounted fond memories of her siblings and childhood growing up in Panaca. She returned many times to her birthplace around the 24th of July for "Pioneer Day" festivities to share her rich family history with her posterity.

Joyce attended Brigham Young University in Provo in 1951, where she met her sweetheart and eternal companion, Lyle Samuel Forman. Lyle swept Joyce off her feet the moment they met, and she loved to wear his letterman jacket and dance with her sweetheart. They were married in the St. George Temple on September 10, 1952. She left her studies at BYU to answer the cherished call to become a wife and Mother. They had six children: Lyle Alan (Married: Rebecca Ann Hardy), Lori Janet (Married: James Lance Stevens), Leslie Dean (Married: Linda Marie Cox), Cloyd Samuel (Married: Debra Sue Christensen), Lisa Maurine (Married: Antonio Peter Gervais), and Karen Lynn: (Married: Joel Grant Woodward). Her posterity has now grown to include 33 grandchildren, over 100 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren, with numbers increasing every year. Known as the "Queen of Mothers," she had a personal relationship with every one of her descendants. Her love was always felt through personalized messages, attending special occasions, providing home-cooked meals, and heartfelt conversations around the game table (where she usually won). The moments in life that brought her the most joy were those spent with her family and loved ones. Her joy was contagious to all around her.

Her beloved husband, Lyle Samuel Forman, passed through the veil on December 20, 2005. Although she missed her sweetheart dearly, she continued to live a fulfilled and happy life and never stopped learning and growing. In 2009, Joyce dedicated her life to the Lord and was called as a full-time missionary, serving in the acquisition department at the Church History Library for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She spent the rest of her earthly life serving in this capacity, extending the length of her service many times over her original assignment. Joyce considered this service her "tithing years," that she gave back to the Lord in thanks for the many incredible blessings she had been given. Her favorite part of her missionary service, in her own words, was that she "loved meeting and counseling" with individuals looking to donate materials to the Church library and enjoyed "hearing their stories, and marveling over their accomplishments." Always selfless, finding joy in others' accomplishments was a hallmark of Joyce's life. She had an innate ability to draw generations together, linking her posterity to their ancestors by keeping their stories and memories alive. As a devoted lifelong learner, she embodied the spirit of perseverance, curiosity, and resilience. She returned to BYU-Idaho in 2021 to complete what she had started in 1951 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies and Certificates of Achievement in Marriage, Family & Human Relations, and Human Services on April 6, 2023, at the age of 90.

Joyce always put her energy into the things that mattered the most. Her home had a picture of a beautiful lighthouse at sunset with the following words on it: "As we approach the sunset of our lives, the greatest legacy we can leave to our posterity is a life full of example that will stand as a beacon of goodness for generations to come." Joyce's life was indeed a "beacon of goodness." She gave everything she had to serve the Lord and her family. She left a living legacy of faith and strength that shines through in the lives of her posterity. She left this earthly existence on May 9th, 2025, surrounded by family who will always love and cherish her. We know her heavenly reunion with loved ones was beautiful and sweet.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 26, 2025, at the Salt Lake City 18th Ward Chapel, 135 A Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, where a viewing will be held from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to services.

Interment will take place at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at the Panaca Cemetery, Panaca, Nevada.

Funeral services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the John Adams Academies Foundation at this link: https://www.johnadamsacademiesfoundation.org/