Joyce Garvey Rakestraw

Joyce Garvey Rakestraw, born in Memphis, Tennessee on September 9, 1934 passed over into the loving arms of Jesus on April 28th in Nashville, Tennessee, where she had resided for several years, at the age of 90. Joyce graduated from Humes High School in 1952 and began her career at South Central Bell in 1953 where she retired after 31 years of service. Joyce was a longtime member of Bellevue Baptist Church of Cordova, Tennessee where she was a faithful member of the Living Word Sunday School class. She was the widow of James W. Garvey of Memphis, Tennessee and Kenith Rakestraw of New Albany, Mississippi. Joyce was preceded in death by her father, Alfred Pike, Sr., her mother, Louise Applebury Crouch of Memphis, Tennessee, her two brothers, Alfred Pike, Jr. of Oakland, Tennessee and James Kennan Pike of Germantown, Tennessee, and her step-son, Jerry Rakestraw of Memphis, Tennessee. She is survived by her three children, Vicki McDaniel (Johnny) of Fairview, Tennessee, Greg Garvey of Shelby, North Carolina, Dana Adams (Mike) of Madison, Indiana and one step-son, Ronald Rakestraw (Kathy) of Enterprise, Alabama. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. Her life interests included her church, gospel music events, gardening, cross stitching, and spending time with family and friends. Visitation will be Monday, May 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM, with 2:00 PM services to follow at Family Funeral Care, 4925 Summer Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee. Graveside services will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Living Word Class, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tennessee.