Brewer- Joyce Sheppard Homan, after a long life, departed this earthly realm for her eternal home in heaven on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, from Sanctuary Hospice House after a brief illness. She was 89 years, 8 months and 9 days old. Born in the Brewer Community on April 5, 1936, while the 3rd deadliest tornado in US history was destroying much of Tupelo and outlying areas, she was the only child of the late Herman D. and Corrine Kennedy Homan. Very athletic growing up, she was an ace basketball and softball (fast pitch and slow pitch) player at Brewer School and at her alma mater, Shannon High School where she graduated in 1954. She even played in City leagues that were very competitive in the region. She married Holder Homan in 1952, a marriage of 71 years at her death. The couple first lived in Pontocola before resettling in Brewer in 1961. The Homan families are legendary bee keepers in these parts and she and Holder operated Homan Apiaries to this day, once being the largest bee keepers in the 1960’s in Mississippi at over 3000 hives.

Joyce was a lady of grace and dignity and served as bookkeeper for the family business all her life. She worked over 10 years in the insurance industry as well. She was a master at growing flowers especially hydrangeas and gardening in general. A great cook, nothing was more enjoyable than having her family gather for big meals.

An avid sports fan, she enjoyed watching her grandchildren play sports as well as following her favorite teams on TV. She and Holder were active, engaged and faithful members of Brewer United Methodist Church all their adult lives where she served as a UMW member and held other positions. She was all thing’s Brewer, loved her family supremely and encouraged everyone with her great smile and kind, soft spoken words.

A Service of Death and Resurrection celebrating her life will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 in the Sanctuary of Brewer United Methodist Church with her pastor, Rev. Jamie Bailey officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 PM-6PM Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo and will resume at 10 AM Wed. at Brewer UMC. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends and neighbors.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Holder Homan; her daughter, Lynn Homan McMasters (Johnny Mac); her son, Tony Homan (Wanda) all of Brewer: Three grandsons, Trey McMasters (Victoria), Tyler Homan of Brower and Toby Homan (Hailey) of Nettleton; one great granddaughter, Goergia Kate Homan; three great grandsons, Bralyn, Lawson and John Trice McMasters and one on the way!

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Corrine Sheppard and a grandson, Trent McMasters. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Trey, Tyler and Toby and Gary Lauderdale, Jamie Lindsey and Freddie Duran. Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS. 38803 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105.