Joyce A. Lewis

YORKTOWN - God saw fit to make everything new for Joyce Augustine Lewis on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, when He granted her eternal rest from the cares and pains associated with her earthly body. She is now enjoying the promise of II Corinthians 5:8, '…to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.' Joyce was born the last of nine children to the late William and Carrie Harrod in Yorktown, Va., on Aug. 4, 1936. She was educated at York County Training School and completed Nurses Aide training at Eastern State Hospital. Joyce gave her life to Christ and joined Grafton Baptist Church at a very early age. As a child she was very active in the church and continued through her adult years. She served as a missionary, a member of the Pastor's Aide, the Senior Choir, the Senior Citizen group and was a past president of the BW Morrison Choir. In addition to singing on the church choir, Joyce was also active in various choirs throughout the community. She was a faithful member of Grafton Baptist Church until her health began to fail. Joyce was formerly married to Harry Lee King and to this union was born five children, Carrie, Harriett, Darlene, Floyd and Gary. Joyce was employed by Eastern State Hospital as a Psychiatric Charge Aide. She retired in 1996 after 24 years of service. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and godmother. Everyone who knew Joyce knew that she was the center of her children's lives and she devoted her life to them. She always had a story to tell, especially about her grandchildren and you could see the sparkle in her eye and smile on her face as she told those stories. A gifted and multi-talented lady, Joyce enjoyed cooking, singing and crocheting. She often opened her home to many of her children's friends and was known for 'feeding the multitude' with just a little. She was like a mother to many. One of her most favorite past times was babysitting her grandchildren and advising the members of her most favorite choir, JBC, in all areas. This included what to wear, pronouncing words correctly, watching the children and offering prayer and encouragement. She will be missed by all who knew her for her honesty and her love. You could always count on Joyce to tell it like it was! She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Carrie Harrod; her brothers, Howard and Floyd Harrod; and her sisters, Pauline Wyatt and Rose Shields. Left to cherish her loving memories are her children, Carrie Roberts of Newport News, Harriett King (Rudy) of Yorktown, Darlene Thomas (Orsby Sr.) of Newport News, Floyd King Sr. (Shelly) of Yorktown, and Gary King Sr. (Kim) of Newport News; 13 grandchildren, Catina Burrell (Min. Jeffrey), Mario Edmunds (Teresa), LaJoyce Thomas, Orsby Thomas Jr., LaShaunda King, Felicia King, Floyd King Jr., Tevon Raikes (Shannon), Canyel Johnson, Kiyana Davenport, Gary King Jr., Takiyah Brooks and Darrell Shields; eight great-grandchildren, A'Leah, Taylor, Justus, Jeffrey Jr., Anayah, Taveon, Ayanah and Shane; one sister, Thelma Griffin of Yorktown; three brothers, Richard Harrod (Dorothy) of Newport News, Jesse Harrod (Lena) of Williamsburg and William June Harrod (Ann) of Yorktown; six adopted children, Roy Harvey, Marion Palmer (Lieutenant), Renee Foster (Lamar), Pinky Brooks (Elver), Wayne Wyatt (Carolyn) and Nathan Wyatt; her adopted grandchildren, Lisa, Darrell, Brandon, Briana, Wayne Jr., Desmond, Nathan Jr., Derrick, Leah and Corey; her God-daughter, Effie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and many others who adopted her as their grandmother. Homegoing celebration will be held at Grafton Baptist Church, Harris Grove, on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. George R. Gholson officiating and Minister Jeffrey Burrell, eulogist. Internment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Grafton Baptist Church on Wednesday, Nov. 10, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The cortege will assemble at 300 Harrod Lane at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday. Floral tributes should be sent to Nicholson-Cummings Funeral Home in Hampton. Professional services are being provided by Knight Funeral Home, Mathews, Va., with the assistance of Nicholson-Cummings Funeral Home. Guestbook is available at Legacy.com.