JOYCE H. STRICKLAND
Jan. 29, 1943-July 17, 2015
Joyce Ann Harrell Strickland, 72, Grantham, passed Friday, July 17, 2015, at Wayne Memorial Hospital after a long battle with lung disease. She passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family.
Joyce was born in Grantham to Oliver Lee and Anna Harrell, who preceded her in death.
She graduated from Grantham High School.
She was a member of Eureka Christian Church, where she served as pianist for many years prior to changes in her health.
Ms. Strickland was a retired bookkeeper, working for several CPAs in the Goldsboro and Smithfield areas.
She also was self-employed and performed tax services for many people in the Grantham area throughout her life.
Music was Joyce's passion and provided her with a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction. She was very talented at both piano and organ, having a natural ability to play by ear. Playing for her first wedding at age 12, she provided music at many weddings and funerals in the area.
In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her brothers, William O. Harrell and Harold Britt, and her sister, Virginia B. Westbrook.
She is survived by a son, Jeff Henderson and wife, Nancy, of Grantham; and daughters, Jan Henderson Johnson and husband, Richard, of High Point and Dr. Amy Henderson Williams and husband, Dr. Brandon Williams, of Asheboro.
She was especially proud of her three grandchildren, James Whitley Jr. of Goldsboro, Sam Henderson of Grantham and Anna Williams of Asheboro.
She is also survived by her brother, Dennis Harrell and wife, Glenda, of Raleigh, and her sister-in-law, Diane Harrell of Fayetteville.
She was always very proud of her many nephews and niece.
Funeral services will be held at Eureka Christian Church in Grantham at 11 a.m. Monday, July 20, with the Rev. Frank Purvis, the Rev. Debora Stilley and the Rev. Gregory Harrell officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Sunday night, July 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home in Goldsboro, and other times at the home of her son.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cures for the Colors, a foundation established by Joyce's longtime physician and friend, Dr. James Atkins. Donations can be made online at www.southeasterncancercare.org/home.html or by mail at Cures for the Colors, c/o SMOC, 203 Cox Blvd., Goldsboro, N.C., 27534.
Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the Strickland family, and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on July 19, 2015 11:03 AM