Joyce Brown LeMaster, age 72, of Morehead, Kentucky, Morehead State University professor emeritus and community leader, passed away Monday, July 20, 2009, at the U.K. Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. She was born October 22, 1936, in London, Kentucky, the only child of the late Royal A. and Esther Crosthwaite Brown. Joyce is survived by her husband, James C. LeMaster; one daughter, Jennifer Chaney Estill and husband Donnie, of Frankfort, Kentucky; and two grandchildren, Eric Justin Estill and Olivia Addison Estill. Joyce was a 1954 graduate of Breckinridge Training School and received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Morehead State University. She also completed graduate studies at Miami University and postgraduate studies at Indiana University. She joined the Morehead State University faculty in 1961 and taught writing courses, American literature, and a course of her own design, Appalachian Writers. Following her retirement in 1997, she returned on a four-year contract to teach one semester per school year. Joyce was also an editor and book reviewer, presented papers at many professional conferences, including the American Culture Association, the Southern American Studies Association, and the Conference on Caribbean Studies. Her research and publications were included in the Annual Report of Research and Creative Productions by MSU faculty for 12 years, since its inception in 1980 until her retirement. Joyce received several awards during her career, including the first annual Distinguished Faculty Service Award presented in 1992. She was nominated in 1994 and in 1995 for the MSU Distinguished Teacher Award. In 1992 and again in 1993, she was a nominee for the advocates for Higher Education ACORN Teaching Award. In 2008, she was the recipient of the Rowan County Community Service Award and was inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame. She was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Fraternities, Delta Zeta Sorority, and the P.E.O. International Sisterhood. Joyce held many leadership positions at the local, state, and national levels including President of the Morehead State University Alumni Association; President of the MSU Woman-s Club; Faculty Senator, (elected to four 3-year terms); Vice President of the Kentucky Mansions Preservation Association; member of the Board of Kentucky Humanities Council; member of the Executive Board of the Democratic Women-s Club of Kentucky; President of the Rowan County Democratic Women-s Club; member of the Executive Board of the Morehead Woman-s Club; and State Parliamentarian for the Kentucky Federation of Women-s Clubs. She was also a charter member of the Morehead Rotary Club International and Career Women Investors; a member of the Performing Arts Trio with Lucretia Stetler and Doug Adams originally and later with Doug and Jay Flippin; the MSU Honorary Degree Committee; and the MSU Gala Committee. She was a 2008 Democratic National Convention Delegate for Kentucky and was currently serving on the Morehead-Rowan County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Morehead-Rowan County Regional Airport Board of Directors. Joyce was also co-owner of JBL Properties and a member of the First Baptist Church. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2009, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Tim Rhodes and the Rev. Greg Whitt officiating. Interment will follow in Brown Cemetery. Pallbearers will be MSU President Wayne Andrews, Larry Dacci, Porter Dailey, Jim Fluty, Sonny Jones, County Judge-Executive Jim Nickell, Mayor David Perkins, and Councilman Glen Teager. Visitation is from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2009, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Christian Social Services, 1446 East Main Street, Morehead, KY 40351. Visitation: Thursday, July 23, 2009, from 3-9 p.m. Funeral: Friday, July 24, 2009, at 11 a.m. Interment: Brown Cemetery