Joyce Faye Perry

DURHAM –Joyce Faye Perry, 91, passed away on August 19,2025 at. She was born in Allen, Kentucky, to the late Elsie Tinsley and Vera Etta Chandler Lawrence.

Joyce lived much of the first part of her life in Indianapolis where many of her extended family existed. She often talked of the peace and tranquility she found in spending the summers with her grandparents on their farm. She was smart and participated in many clubs in high school, graduating 6 months early. She met Jim (Bud) Perry at Ray Street Nazarene Church in Indianapolis. They married in 1951. Bud spent several years in the air force overseas leaving Joyce with three children to raise. It was a difficult time but their faith brought both of them through.

Joyce spent much of her life as a stay-at-home mom raising 4 children while Bud worked outside the home. He was transferred to NJ, Illinois and Massachusetts necessitating moves with four kids for Joyce.

Their final move was from the Boston Area to North Carolina. There they bought a motel and ran it together for about 10 years and then bought a lovely house on Lake Normal near Charlotte. Their final move was to Durham to be close to their daughter.

Through it all Joyce's faith sustained her through times where money was scarce to times when they had enough and more. Joyce was a model for Christian hospitality, always seeing where a need was and doing what she could to meet it. She was known for her bread, bringing a loaf as a sign of support, love and compassion to those who needed it.

Joyce taught Sunday School in at least one church. She loved teaching and the preparatory work. She was always looking for creative ways to engage her class in discipleship. She enjoyed gardening and was quite a green thumb. She loved to sew and made many of her own and her girl's clothes early in life. She participated in square dancing with Bud for a number of years.

But mainly her and Bud traveled after retiring. They traveled to every continent of the world. They enjoyed cruising but also did land tours and independent trips. Her life was deeply enriched by their extensive travels. Both Joyce and Bud loved Southern Gospe music and would travel to concerts on a regular basis. This music was central to their lives and often sustained them through difficulties.

Joyce had always wanted to attend college. So, in 1995 she enrolled in Queens college in Charlotte. She completed one semester with a 4.0 GPA. She was extremely proud of doing that (as she should have been) at the age of 60.

Joyce loved spending time with her grandchildren and talked of them often when she could be directly involved with them. She found family traditions to be important. Family gatherings throughout the year were times of great joy for her. She is known for sending out her "schedule" to all "the kids" so she could have it all planned out what would happen and when.

Joyce served as the primary caregiver for her mother-in-law and mother during the 90's. Then Joyce spent the last decade being the primary caregiver for Bud as his physical and emotional health declined. She was an excellent caregiver but it took its toll. When her beloved husband died in 2014, she moved back to Lattamoor in Durham to be near friends there. She established a group of friends in her church and neighbors who she enjoyed spending time with. In 2023, she could no longer live alone and moved to a tiny house custom designed for her on her daughters farm. There she lived out her final 2 years with her dog Frazier first and then Taffy-both of who she was inseparable from. Taffy was laying right by her side on the bed when she died.

Joyce's faith in Jesus Christ, her savior pervaded every aspect of her life. You could frequently find her with a cup of coffee and her bible/devotional book beside her in the mornings. She would testify to not only the saving power of Jesus in her life but to His faithfulness to her and her family throughout her life. She prayed regularly for her children and other family members. She was always helping someone who needed it. She was very active in her church in teaching, volunteering and prayer support.

In addition to her parents, she is also predeceased by her husband James Lowell Perry.

Joyce.is survived by daughters, April Perry, Cheryl Ann Perry, Shelia Rittgers and Terri Duncan; her sons, Ken Perry (Soo Perry) and Mike Perry (Marlene Perry). She is also survived by 3 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

A celebration of Joyces life with music and speaking will be held in the front yard of her cottage on Spring House Farm 1403 Mason Rd on Saturday August 23, 2025 at 2 PM with a reception to follow. All friends and loved ones are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Nashema Animal Rescue https://www.neshamarescue.org/ 7800 Falls of Neuse Road, #98463, Raleigh, North Carolina 27615

The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.