Joyce "Joy" Virginia Roberts

Joyce "Joy" Virginia Roberts, born on February 28, 1939, in Asheville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025, in Johnson City, Tennessee. Joy's life was not only marked by her resilience and determination but also by her deep commitment to her family and her passions.

Joy moved to Bronson Florida in 1968 where she resided until November of 2024 when she moved to Erwin Tennessee to live with her daughter.

Joy spent her early career at the Grove Park Inn, where she had the unique opportunity to meet and attend to many well-known personalities. Following this, she dedicated several years to the phone company in Leesburg, Florida, where she worked diligently to repair telephones until her retirement. Even after retiring, Joy continued to engage with the community at the Chiefland Florida Wal-Mart, where she was well-regarded by her coworkers and customers alike.

An avid reader, Joy looked forward to indulging in at least two books each week, a testament to her love for learning and her vast imagination. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life, from tending to her beautiful garden filled with roses, eucalyptus, and dogwood trees, cherishing her numerous cats she had during her lifetime, to enjoying serene days at the beach, savoring the ocean breeze, and walking barefoot in the sand.

Joy’s pride shone brightly in her family, as she devoted her life to raising her children with abundant love and support. She is survived by her children: Kenneth Pearson, Tina Wilcox and her husband Lyle, and Richard Alan Pearson. Joy was a cherished grandmother to eight grandchildren, a beloved great-grandmother to twelve great-grandchildren, and a proud great-great-grandmother to one great-great-grandson. She is also remembered fondly by her brother, Edward Alan Roberts and his wife Carol; half-brother, Ervin Roberts; half-sister, Carolyn Roberts Williams; and her nieces and nephew: Alan, Renee, and Davida, along with many extended family members.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Arthur Roberts and Judy Ernestine Chambers Williams; her son, Joseph "Jojo" McAbee; her ex-husband, Joseph Felkel; and half-brothers: Buck Roberts and Harold Roberts.

Her family will gather to honor her remarkable life, beginning with visitation on August 20, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Anders-Rice Funeral Home, located at 1428 Patton Avenue in Asheville, North Carolina. This will be followed by a graveside service at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery at 125 Bin Lippen Road, Asheville, at 12:30 PM.

Joy will be dearly missed by all who knew her, and her legacy of love, kindness, and perseverance will continue to inspire those she leaves behind.

Flowers are appreciated, or donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org.

Anders-Rice Funeral Home and Cremation Center is honored to serve Joy's family.