Joan Frances Becker

Joan Frances Becker of Pascagoula, Mississippi, went to be with the Lord on May 3, 2025, in the comfort of her childhood home in which she was born, with her beloved family by her side. Joan was a devoted wife and a nurturing, gentle mother and grandmother, always ready to minister to others for the glory of God. A faithful and selfless servant, her love for people reflected His own—she cared deeply for their well-being, tending not only to their physical needs but also to their spiritual ones with wholehearted compassion.

Born on January 31,1939, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Joan was the fifth of nine children born to Nester and Bertice Forsman. At the age of twelve, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. From that moment on, she remained a faithful servant, often serving as secretary in the churches she attended. Joan graduated from Pascagoula High School in 1957. She began her career as a secretary for a local attorney before taking a position as a secretary at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. It was there that she met the love of her life, Ernest Junior Becker, known as “Ernie.” At the time, Ernie was serving in the U.S. Air Force, and on their very first date, he asked Joan to marry him. In less than a year, in 1959, they were wed at First Assembly of God Church in Pascagoula, MS. Shortly after, they moved to Michigan, where they spent the next 30 years building a life together and raising their four sons. In 1994, the family moved back to Pascagoula to enjoy their retirement. 

Joan was a woman of deep empathy and never failing kindness. She gave of herself completely, pouring her heart into every person she met. Whether in a church pew or the grocery store checkout line, Joan never missed a chance to reach out, to pray, to offer comfort. She saw people—truly saw them—and made them feel known and loved. Her joy was radiant; even in the darkest places, Joan's presence brought light.

If you knew Joan, you knew her to be a person who loved a good time. For her, sharing a cup of coffee with friends or family was one of the greatest parts of life. She always said, “Laughter is life’s greatest medicine.” Time spent with loved ones and family were the things that gave Joan meaning in life.

Family was at the center of her heart. She was deeply protective of those she loved, especially her family. During her years in Michigan, she was her sons’ biggest cheerleader, never missing a sporting event and always beaming with pride. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her absolute world. She knew all 28 of them by name. She would give and do anything for her family.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Nester and Bertice Forsman; her loving husband Ernest J. Becker; her beloved grandson, Kameron M. Becker; her siblings Frank Forsman, Betty Jo Harris, and John Forsman. She is survived by her sons Stephen (Vanessa) of Pascagoula, MS, David (Rhonda) of Double Oak, TX, James (Danyiel) of Bad Axe, MI, and Jared (Mary Kathryn) of Pascagoula, MS; her sisters Pauline Curry and Faith Magallanes, her brothers Victor Forsman, Jerry (Avis) Forsman, and George (Linda) Forsman; her grandchildren Keane (Meghan) Becker, Kendra (Jesse) Ferrell,  Blair (Jason) Paulson, Brett (Alexis) Becker, Mark (Courtney) Becker, Kristina (Cole) Watson, Andrew, Josh, and Audrey Becker; her great grandchildren Chloe, Emily, Noah, Isaiah, Judah, and Miriam Becker, Kenzey, Briella, and Jesse Ferrell, Evan, Joshua, Brooklyn Paulson, Brayden, Gabrielle, and Liam Becker, Charlotte, Reed, and Zoey Watson, and Bennett Becker.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 8, 2025 at the Collective Church in Pascagoula, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, with Funeral Service to follow. Interment will conclude at Machpelah Cemetery. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan Frances Becker, please visit our floral store.