Marian "Joyce" Dillingham

Marian Joyce Dillingham, 84, of Merritt Island, Florida passed away of a chronic lung illness on August 31, 2024. She was born in Swannanoa, North Carolina on January 20, 1940 to Charles Bleeker Dillingham and Geneva Margaret Rayburn.

She graduated from Western Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in math and a minor in French. She was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority. She began her teaching career at Hall Fletcher Junior High in Asheville, North Carolina. Shortly afterwards, she moved to Brevard County, Florida. She taught math at Kennedy Junior High for several years and then transferred to Cocoa Beach High; there she was chairman of the math department and coached both girls and boys golf teams. She was a respected and honorable math teacher. Joyce kept in touch through Facebook with hundreds of former students, sending out birthday greetings. She touched the lives of many people in many ways.

She was a member of the Rockledge Country Club and was a very talented and avid golfer. She and some fellow teachers left work at the end of the school day and played golf almost every weekday; it was not unusual for her to play 18 to 36 holes on Saturday and Sunday. She was always impeccably dressed for both school and golf.

Joyce was also an avid fan of University of North Carolina basketball and never missed watching their games. Her neighbors knew of game days as they could hear Joyce cheering for her team. She loved Carolina blue and had a love for corvettes. In fact, her 1972 Corvette sits in her garage in mint condition.

Joyce was predeceased by her parents and one brother, Clarence David Dillingham. Surviving family members are sister Sara Skowron (Joseph), brother Jimmy Dillingham (Alyce), niece Cathryn Beil (Billy), nephews Robert Dillingham (Tracy), Ray Dillingham (Courtney), many great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephew. Joyce loved family gatherings and spending time with the younger children. She leaves a large void in the family.

A memorial service will be held at Wylie Baxley Funeral Home 1360 N. Courtenay Parkway Merritt Island, Florida on September 20th, 2024 at 11:00am with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.

Live streaming of the celebration will be available.

Live stream links:

https://youtube.com/live/Xyj2jxq4OXs?feature=share

https://youtube.com/live/_I85RdD78kU?feature=share