Joyce Carol Durham

REIDSVILLE - Joyce Carol Durham, 31, of 765 Cedar Lane, died Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007 at Duke Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007 at Rock of Ages Baptist Church with Pastor David Hatcher officiating. The burial will follow at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Joyce was born in Rockingham County. Her life has been filled with love and laughter in spite of her difficult medical history. Her medical care began in the Enrichment Center and has been under consistent care of Duke Medical Center and LeBauer Healthcare of Greensboro. She never met a stranger and lived life to the fullest. Even though her stature was small, (38" tall and 53 pounds) she was a giant individual. Even as a child, Joyce was a leader organizing kids clubs and never considering her handicap. She would light up any room with her charismatic personality making friends everywhere she went. Her will power was second to none and determination was obvious in every thing she did. She graduated from Rockingham County High School in 1996 and took many classes at Rockingham Community College. She even worked at the college in a work study while attending and was a member of the Rainbow Girls. She was a leader and a great planner when communicating with people. She was an inspiration throughout her years in school and was the second runner up in the Miss Rockingham Beauty pageant and she also participated in art and Student Council. Over her schooling years, she received many awards and lots of recognition. There were several articles written about her in newspapers and she was even contacted by Celine Gilbert, a newscaster from Mentron TV, London England hoping to feature Joyce in a documentary. Her health was failing and she was unable to complete the project. She loved celebrating her birthday each year with family and friends. She drove a medium size car and never hesitated to socialize and be the life of every event. She loved animals, especially her poodles and terriers. She attended Rock of Ages Baptist Church and recently worked as a greeter at Wal-Mart in Reidsville. Joyce was a fighter to the very end and will be loved and missed by all. Our loss is certainly Heaven's gain. One day we will meet again. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Margaret and Edison Durham and her maternal grandparents, Josephine Cook Shelton and John Clay Cook.
She is survived by her companion, Wesley Pruitt and her parents, Pete and Nancy Durham of the home; brother, Gerald T. Durham and wife, Robin of Reidsville; sister, Janet Darlene Gilley and husband, Kenny of Summerfield; and a large extended family including those from Rockingham County and also including her family in Burton, Clio, Stanton, Fenton, Grand Blanc and Flint, Michigan.
The family will receive friends Monday, Oct. 29 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Wilkerson Funeral Home and other times at the home.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to her loved ones, friends and medical staffs at Duke Medical Center, Moses Cone Intensive Care Unit, and LeBauer Healthcare for their faithful love, care and support of Joyce over the years.
Condolences may be made to www.wilkersonfuneral.com