Obituary of Curlee Joyce

Curlee Joyce passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on December 15, 2015. He was born in Stokes County and grew up in the Sandy Ridge Community. Curlee was the son of John R. Joyce and Ellie Shaffer Joyce. Curlees first love was his family. He was a member of St. Lukes Episcopal Church and experienced God most fully in creation, especially in Astronomy. He lived a life as a ministry service to his community. Curlee received his B.S. Degree in Business Education from Appalachian State University (formerly ASTC) and his Masters Degree in Social Work from the School of Social Work of The College of William and Mary. His professional service was first as caseworker and then Director of Stokes County Department Social Services (his home county.) He was Director of Caldwell County Department of Social Services, Director of Florence Crittenton Home in Charlotte, Supervisor of Adoptions at Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, and Director of Watauga County Department of Social Services from which he retired in 1997 after 25 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and brother-in-law Hilda Joyce Priddy and Hanes Priddy, a brother Otha Joyce, and a brother who died in early infancy. Curlee is survived by his wife of 58 years, Denica Wheeler Joyce, one son Robert C. Joyce (Karen) and one daughter Elizabeth Joyce Dawkins (Jeffrey), two brothers Carlton Joyce (Elsie) and John R. Joyce (Marjorie), one sister Rebecca J. Lawson (Ray), and one sister-in-law Betty W. Joyce. In addition he is survived by ten grandchildren, Ashley Joyce Jones (Adam), Kari Joyce Brown (Daniel), Heather Dawkins Saunders (Jonathan), Katherine M. Dawkins, Erika J. Dawkins, Kristen B. Dawkins, Joshua L. Dawkins, Nickie W. Hayes (Scott), Bryon S. Proffit (Blair), and Amanda P. Haderthauer (Kristian). He has been blessed with ten great-grandchildren: Daniel, Brayden, Kaleigh, Morgen, Kelsey, Ethan, Isaiah, Landry, Sawyer, and Skylar as well as many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of the Life and Ministry of Curlee Joyce will be at St. Lukes Episcopal Church, 170 Councill Street, Boone, NC on Sunday, December 20th, at 2:00 p.m. followed by the interment of cremains in the memorial garden and reception at the church. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to: Watauga County Department of Social Services Foster Childrens Fund, 132 Poplar Grove Connector, Suite C, Boone, N.C. 28607 or The Community Care Clinic, 141 Health Center Drive, Suite B., Boone, N.C.28607. Online condolences may be shared with the Joyce family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Joyce family.