Remembering the life and love of Joyce Jeraraj
“The beautiful flower withered away,
but its fragrance remains as ever”
Testimonials
Friends
Mr. Barrie Glover
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My memory of Joyce at this distance and time is of a slim and small-framed smiling lady who had the gift of making a stranger feel as if he was part of the family.
I wish that there had been an opportunity to know her more.
-- Barrie Glover.
Mrs. Wilma Schramm
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Although I only met Joyce once in person, I immediately knew what a Godly woman she was. She had a heart full of love, especially for the children & for those in need around her. She always put others first. She also supported Job in his quest to get the 2:7 Discipleship training into the hands of believers. I know she is smiling now that he has succeeded!
Mr. Martin Cooper
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I had the wonderful joy & pleasure of meeting Joyce, together with her husband Job, on three occasions in the 1990s - twice at their home in Chennai, and once when they visited my wife & me in the UK.
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I remember with fond affection and much gratitude to God, her grace, love & warm hospitality. She was a beautiful lady, both in the physical sense, but much more importantly in the way the Bible describes beauty in 1 Peter 3 verse 3-4:
“Your beauty should be…that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
Joyce’s love for her Lord, and for all those with whom she came into contact, made her daily life a powerful testimony to His own love and kindness…a testimony that continues to live on in this world, as she spends eternity in his heavenly presence.
Mr. Ted Hough
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My father and mother, Dr. Jack and Jodie Hough, first met Job over 30 years ago when he came to Oklahoma for training. They became a part of his and Joyce’s ministry from then on. They were pleased to observe as Job and his dear wife Joyce became a great force as a couple in the Lord’s work. They deeply loved both of them and saw the great work God was doing in their lives and wanted to co-labor with them. As their son, I want to express how much Joyce meant to them and to our family. We praise God for the revelation of His love through this wonderful woman.
In Him, Ted Hough
Mr. Royston Koh
When I think of Joyce, the woman in Proverb 31 came to mind.
She exemplified the noble woman. Unreservedly, Joyce was always behind
her man, Job, as the latter sought to glorify God by advancing His cause
of calling the people of God to discipleship and disciplemaking. Both were
one in heart in this venture. Without fail, she was there with Job in overseas
conferences learning new lessons and instructions. Most of all making new
friends together with Job. Indeed she was a wonderful helper to her husband.
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Her heart was in the home. She ensured that her husband and the children were
well taken care of. I had the privilege of visiting their home and observed the
good relationships she had with servants and all alike. It was indeed a happy
home; all because she was the heart of the home.
The ever-present love for Joyce in Job's heart mirrors the impact of
a God-fearing and selfless woman on one who knew her most. That
increases my respect and admiration for Joyce, our sister and our friend.
With warmest regards,
Royston
Mr. & Mrs. Denny and Carolyn Repko
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When I think of my dear sister Joyce, her memory floods my mind with how kind she was; how deep her love was for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her ever present smile, in spite of her pain or struggles of life. She was a diminutive bundle of praise to the Lord.
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Professionally she was distinctive with her Masters degree in History, but you'd never know it by her humble bearing. Also, nobody, and I mean nobody, could say my name quite like her. I love it. She said it with a lilt that almost contained a "Denny, are you sure about this or that?" Through the years friends who came to India with me or met her here in the the States, were attracted to her as well.
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What a soldier for Christ she was, and a better help-mate for Job, cannot be imagined. The Lord richly blessed their lives together.
Family
Mr. Emmanuel Jeyakaran
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My first memory of my Joyce akka was when I was about 6 years old. Since Dad was in the Air Force we used to come on annual holidays to Sholinghur. My first memory of her is of a wraith like person who used to pamper me. As a kid I was crazy about mangoes, (come to think of it I still am!). Being a greedy little feller I would eat my fill of the fruit till I was bursting. There after I used to be restless and bloated. All of them used to have a good laugh at my expense, Lily amma being practical, used to make me walk around till I burped and was comfortable.
When she got married to jeyaraj annan it was a very happy thing for all of us. I remember the wedding festivities were in Goodlet school. I recollect carting a few sticks of furniture for the reception & also sleeping on the bench.
Thereafter, there used to be annual and regular visits both ways. Annan used to come to Bangalore regularly for ecumenical conferences. While he was away we kids used to have a gala time taking Akka around Bangalore, loafing around in cubbon park & M.G road. We used to eat ice cream with the bus fare and walk home.
I remember when I was having my final exams and akka was with me in Bangalore. By then mum and dad had shifted to Sholinghur from Bangalore. The final day of exam she took me for a movie in Rex theatre. What a wonderful experience it was.
She was a good cook and took care of us whenever we happened to meet her. Her final years were difficult and pain filled, but she bore them with stoicism and smile. Never did she whine or complain about her pain.
She loved to adorn herself with flowers, especially Sampangi which was not to found in Sholinghur. All of us travelling from Bangalore used pick them up in Malur railway station. How happy and thrilled she was when she saw them.
During my six year sojourn in chennai, I made a point of visiting her in kelly's. It was a lot more easier to do so when I shifted to teynampet office. I made it a point to visit them at least once in 10 days. She used to be happy when surrounded by youngsters. In their company she turned out to be naughtier than them.
What can I say then about my akka? It was marvellous to have know her.
Well, all I can say is God broke the mould when he made her. Glory be to God.