Joyce Anne Bates, the daughter of Thomas Earl and Maude (Dungan) Keast, was born August 12, 1935 in Macedonia, IA.  She died March 29, 2016 at her home in Carson, IA at the age of 80 years, 7 months, and 17 days.

Joyce attended school at Macedonia, graduating from Macedonia High School with the class of 1953.  After graduating, she was united in marriage to Bobby Weaver.  Two children were born to this union, Bruce and Bev.  Bobby died in 1957.  In 1958, Joyce was married to James Alfred Bates.  Two children were born to this union, Tom and Scott.  Joyce and Jim farmed southeast of Oakland until Jim's retirement in 1993.  After retiring, they moved to Oakland.  Jim died on August 19, 2001.  Joyce continued to live in Oakland and then in Macedonia until 2012, when she was united in marriage to Ed Keast.  She moved to Carson, and remained there until the time of her death.

Joyce was a member of the Fellowship Church in Oakland.  Her faith was very important to her.  She spent countless hours reading her bible and studying the word of God.  She enjoyed writing poems and journaling.  She also liked to visit on the telephone.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband Bobby; her husband James; her son Bruce; and her sister Laura Harrill.

She is survived by her husband Ed Keast of Carson, IA; her children: Bev Simonton and husband Kelly of Atlantic, IA, Tom Bates and wife Linda of Macedonia, IA, and Scott Bates and wife Linda of Minneapolis, MN; her grandchildren: Suzanne Reed and husband Andy, Andrew Bates and wife Katie, Branden Stoural and wife Kelsi, Kimberley Bates, Nicolas Bates, and Olivia Bates; her great grandchildren: Joshua, Joslin, Elijah, Wilder, Scout, and Alex; and her sister Lois Bailey.  She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Fellowship Church in Oakland.  Visitation with the family will take place one hour prior to the funeral service.  Interment will be in the Macedonia Cemetery following a luncheon.  Memorials are suggested to the Open Door Mission. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is in charge of arrangements.