Ella Mae Jones Joyce

Mrs. Ella Mae Jones Joyce, 90, of 1530 Five Oaks Trail, Mount Airy, passed away Thursday night, February 12, 2009, at her home. Mrs. Joyce was born August 15, 1918, in Surry County, daughter of the late James Walter and Lucy Ella Patterson Jones. She was a homemaker and a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Mount Airy for 58 years. Throughout the years, Mae served the church in various capacities, including deacon, choir member, and a member of the Fellowship Committee. Mrs. Joyce was also a member of the Mount Airy Chapter #18 Order of the Eastern Star. She is survived by a daughter, Margaret Joyce Harmon of Mount Airy; two grandsons, Jeff Harmon and Joel Harmon and wife, Wendy, all of Mount Airy; two great-grandchildren, Peyton Harmon and Emma Harmon, both of Mount Airy; a sister, Estelle Jones Gates of Wytheville, VA; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Jefferson Joyce; a son-in-law, Grady Harmon; five sisters, Valria Jones Bryant, Bertha Jones Gravley, Gertha Jones Simmons, Dora Jones James, and Bessie Jones Gravley; and two brothers, Robert Wilson "Bill" Jones and Vestal Jones. The funeral service will be held Sunday, February 15, 2009, at 3:00 PM at First Baptist Church, with Dr. Roger B. Gilbert officiating. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery, with graveside service conducted by Mount Airy Chapter #18 Order of the Eastern Star. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at First Baptist Church. If desired, memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 714 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030, or to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for the love, care, and kindness shown to Mae and her family during this difficult time.