Joyce Elizabeth Johnson

Joyce Elizabeth Johnson departed to her heavenly home in the early morning of Sunday, August 10, 2025, surrounded by loving family members.

Joyce was born October 25, 1930, in Richmond, Virginia to Nelly Gibbs Lee and Oscar David Lee. She met her husband, Roy, while he was serving in the Air Force in Sandstone, Virginia. They were married on July 3, 1948, a few days after Joyce's high school graduation. They enjoyed 54 years of marriage until Roy's death in 2002.

Roy's avionics job brought the family to Nashville, Tennessee where they attended St. Matthias Episcopal church. Joyce was active in the Episcopal Church Women. She was a chalice bearer, was accepted as a lay eucharist minister, and was a member of the Order of St. Luke the Physician. In these roles she exemplified her love of people, fostering healing and wholeness through prayer, study and service. Over the years, Joyce worked outside the home briefly at Haywood Elementary School, and at various times she assisted Roy in his avionics business. Eventually, she went to work in the accounting department of Direct Oil Corporation where she worked for 13 years.

While Joyce was deeply involved in church activities, her top priority was her family. She was a no-nonsense mother who was firm in her belief that family came first. She was truly loving and protective of each child, grandchild and great grandchild. She actively encouraged and supported their interests and creative pursuits. By her example, Joyce passed on to her family a sense of responsibility to live with compassion and an open heart and to love and care for others.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Roy Allen Johnson, Sr.; her grandson, Roy Allen Johnson, III; her sister, Florence Ann Snow; and her brother, Oscar David Lee Jr.; along with several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Joyce is survived by five children: Roy Allen Johnson Jr., (Karyn), Richard Lee Johnson, Sr., David Wayne Johnson, Janice Faye Rogers (David), Elizabeth Ann Johnson. She also has 10 surviving grandchildren: Kristina Martinez (Danny), Katherine Miller (John), Richard Johnson Jr., David Johnson, Kasey Brandon, (Justin), Marion Doherty (JD), Samuel Rogers (Birdie), Rio Cañas, Emily Cañas and Charlotte Cañas. Many great grandchildren also survive as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation and funeral services will be held Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Woodbine Funeral Home, Hickory Chapel, 5852 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211 with Rev. Dr. Kate Fields officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. with the funeral beginning at 1:00 pm. A graveside service will immediately follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 689 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204.

In lieu of flowers, it was Joyce's wish that donations be made in her honor to:

St. Luke's Community House

Attn: Development Office

5601 New York Avenue

Nashville, TN 37209

Donations may also be made online at https://www.stlch.org/donate