Freda Joyce Wilkin

Freda Joyce Wilkin, of Bardstown, passed away peacefully in her home Sunday March 8, 2026 at the age of 94. She was surrounded by her family including the love of her life, Don. Their beautiful love story spanned 75 years. 

A service to honor her life will be held at Nelson Christian Church, Bardstown, KY, on Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m.  The family will receive guests from 1- 1:45 p.m. 

Joyce was born in Balkan, KY, the daughter of James Edgar and Bertha Lee Cox.  She was the 4th of six children and now joins her siblings: Coralene Fry, Barbara Davis, Raymond Cox, Reba Jones, Helen Craycraft and her parents in Heaven.  Joyce experienced humble beginnings in the coal mining camps of Harlan County, KY.  At age 9 she moved to Dayton, Kentucky ultimately graduating from Dayton High School before entering Cincinnati Bible College, Cincinnati, Ohio.  

She was a successful entrepreneur, founding Factory Fabrics in Fisher, IL, as well as Bardstown Furniture in Bardstown, KY. Joyce loved greeting customers and serving as an unofficial tour guide while also reconnecting with returning clients. She looked forward to buying trips in High Point, NC, and other locations across the country.  

Joyce’s faith was central to her life, and she served faithfully with Don in ministry for decades.  Joyce focused on teaching children, teens, and women’s ministry.  She had an especially soft heart for children. 

In recent years they concentrated on their hospitality ministry by connecting with visitors and new people at their church home, Nelson Christian Church, and treating them to lunch afterwards. Many connections and friendships were formed over shared meals. Days before she died Joyce invited someone to church with the promise of lunch afterwards.  

Joyce is survived by her husband, Donald (Don) Wilkin, three children - Donna (Mitch) Rose of St. Charles, MO, Cathy (Greg) Vance of Morrison, CO and Jeff (Kim) Wilkin of Delaware, OH, as well as six grandchildren- Kira (Kirk) Mulvany, Noelle (Matthew) Tabor, Clayton (Paige) Vance, Haydn (Anna) Vance, Courtney (Sam) Sharma and Preston (Jamie) Wilkin,  six great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Joyce loved her family dearly, left a legacy of faith while modeling a strong work ethic her entire life.

Instead of flowers or gifts, please send monetary donations to Nelson Christian Church, Bardstown, KY, or continue her legacy by treating a new acquaintance to lunch.

Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

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