Joyce Underwood Giles, 89, died Tuesday, February 7, 2023, in her home at Fair Haven Retirement Community in Birmingham, Alabama. Joyce was born on June 16, 1933 to Arthur and Betty Underwood in Dexter, Georgia. When she was a young teen, the family moved from Georgia to Lake Worth, Florida. She graduated from Lake Worth High in the spring of 1951 and on December 27 of that year, Joyce married the love of her life, David E. Giles. The young couple lived in Amarillo, Texas and Lake Worth, Florida before settling down in Atlanta, Georgia to raise a family.
Joyce was an active member and secretary at Second Ponce De Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta for many years. Joyce loved to cook and sew, but is best remembered for her cooking. No one left her house hungry! She shared this love by teaching her children and grandchildren her many recipes.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, David E. Giles, her parents, her brothers, her daughter, Elaine Giles Cleveland, and her daughter-in-law, Connie Perdue Giles. She is survived by her children – Michael Giles, Stephen (Ann) Giles, Melissa (Mack) Sheddan, son-in-law Al Cleveland; her grandchildren – David (Alysson) Sheddan, Lori (Will) Rogers, Ryan (Aubrey) Swinson, Erin (Kathleen) Cleveland-Kennedy, Sarah (Jonathan) Newell, Meredith McNamara, Caitlin Sheddan, Anna Cleveland, Maureen Sheddan, and Ben (Kayla) Giles; and her 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned for 1:00 pm Saturday, February 18, 2023, in Birmingham, AL at Fair Haven Retirement Community.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Fair Haven Fountain of Love in memory of Joyce and David Giles (https://www.methodisthomes.org/senior-living/al/birmingham/fair-haven/donate) 1520 Cooper Hill Road, Birmingham, AL 35210.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Giles family.
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