Dianne Leys Joyce

Dianne Leys Joyce, 70, of Mount Airy, North Carolina, passed away at her home on April 18, 2025. She was born on June 26, 1954, in Mount Airy, North Carolina, the daughter of John Leys and Willemina Vyfhuizen Leys. She graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1972 and went on to attend Surry Community College. She worked at Pine State Knitwear and Cross Creek for several years before retiring in 1994 to become a full-time volleyball mom and homemaker.

Dianne met her beloved husband, Robert, in 1989, and they eloped on February 9, 1990. One of her greatest joys was the surprise of having a daughter, Tia, and she devoted the rest of her life to being a mom and caring for the numerous animals that found their way into her home. She and Robert recently celebrated their 35th anniversary, and they lived a life of love and never-ending laughs until her very last day.

She is survived by her husband, Robert; her daughter, Tia Joyce; her brother, Marion Leys (Karen); her nieces Kathryn Smith (Will) and Sarah Bourne (Eddie); a special cousin Ineke Tadema (Cor); and her cherished grandpups, Booth and Brennan. Preceding Dianne in death are her parents, John and Willemina Leys; and her many four-legged children whom she loved dearly throughout her life: Chopper, Sam, Rocky, Buddy, Barney, Lacy, Lizzy, Lucy, Buster, Lilly, Brady, and Lydia.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 PM at Moody’s Funeral Services in Mount Airy, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Surry Animal Rescue to carry on her legacy of saving all of the wayward critters.