Rev. Joyce Burnett was born on September 9, 1942 and went peacefully to be with the Lord on July 19, 2017 in Olympia, WA.

Joyce was born in Osborne, Kansas to Rev. Everett and Viola Ewing. After spending her early childhood in Kansas, the Ewings moved to Tacoma, Washington, where her father served as the Pastor of First Assembly of God, now known as Life Center. Joyce married John Burnett on September 2, 1960 and soon they entered ministry, pastoring in Burlington and Belfair, Washington. They had two daughters, (currently in ministry) Pam Gregory and Sue Ladd. In 1967 they were appointed as Assemblies of God World Missionaries to the Philippines. They left for the field in the summer of 1969 with the family, being four of only twelve freighter passengers on a 21-day trip at sea.

John and Joyce served faithfully in many aspects of ministry through their 40 years on the mission field; the Philippines, at Global University in Belgium, Texas, South Africa, and Swaziland. Joyce's contribution in each location was using her skills in bookkeeping and also tutoring English. Joyce became a credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God in 2002. Shortly thereafter, in 2007, John and Joyce retired from World Missions. John passed away in 2013 of pancreatic cancer. 

Joyce was best known for her ability to welcome new missionaries to the field, helping them get settled, and for being a tour guide and host for visiting Bible school teachers and teams. She had a keen desire to understand and know the people she was working with, and an amazing talent in any kind of handwork. She was often the quiet worker in the background, never demanding or desiring any spotlight.