Joyce Marie (Metaxas) Brandt was born January 25, 1936, in Fort Bragg, Calif., to Harry and Carol Metaxas. She spent her early years in Mendocino and Willits before moving to Eel Rock California at the age of 9, where she would meet her future husband, Dennis Brandt. In 1954 Joyce graduated from Laurelwood Academy, and on November 22, 1956, she married her childhood sweetheart. The couple lived in Rio Dell and Scotia for several years where their only child, David, was born.

In 1962 they moved to Eureka. Joyce started working as a “Western Girl,” doing secretarial work for different businesses throughout the Eureka area. In 1966 she was hired as the secretary to the Director of Humboldt County Mental Health. In 1979 Joyce was in an accident which left her dealing with paralysis for the rest of her life. Joyce, through much adversity, always managed to maintain a positive attitude about life. Joyce was very good at playing the piano and loved to sing.

Joyce was always smiling and looking forward to her Savior’s return, when her body and mind could be whole and healed again. She passed away on Nov. 20, 2017. Joyce and Dennis were married for 61 years. They had many happy memories of family and friends, camping, hunting and “chasing” in the hills and mountains mostly in the western states. Their happiest times were spent sitting in a secluded mountain meadow or chasing that ever-elusive mule deer buck.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Carol Metaxas, and her in-laws, Harry and Leila Brandt, by her sister in-law Sarah Metaxas, and by her only granddaughter, Shelby Brandt (Strange).

She is survived by her husband, Dennis Brandt; son David Brandt (Lori Brandt); her brothers HG Metaxas and Donald Metaxas; sister in-law Marilyn Niemen of Mustang Oklahoma; grandsons Justin Brandt (Rachel Brooks), Chris Brandt and Travis Brandt (Kolbi Brandt); and great-grandchildren Kayson and Taytum Brandt.

The memorial service will be held at the Eureka Seventh-day Adventist Church, Saturday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. Please come and help us celebrate Joyce’s life.

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The obituary above was submitted by Joyce Brandt’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.