Joyce Marie Reeves Braswell

Joyce, 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 7, 2022 at TerraBella Little Avenue Memory Care in Charlotte under the loving care of Hospice & Palliative Care of Charlotte. She is no longer in pain and has been reunited with so many of her loved ones in heaven.

Born August 11, 1929 in Charlotte, she was the daughter of the late James Reeves and Antionette Rhyne Reeves. Joyce left high school prior to graduating to help her wonderful mother care for her siblings. Her sidekick was always her youngest brother, Ken, who would cry when she left the house if she didn’t let him tag along with her, but she loved spending every minute with him. She worked at Nebel’s Knitting Mill in Dilworth and then Ivey’s Department Store in Uptown. She was also very active in her church nursery, which helped guide her into the career that would truly change her life. She returned to school to acquire her GED and attend community college for Early Childhood Development in 1960.

Joyce met the love of her life, Preston (Pres) Braswell, on Halloween night in Uptown Charlotte in 1947 –Preston passed away in 1988. They married in York County on July 30, 1950. For several years, Joyce traveled with Pres as a part of his work. In 1954, they purchased their first home in their beloved Sedgefield.

In 1962, they welcomed the joy of their lives, their only child Donna Braswell Ragan. Joyce and Pres made sure that their daughter had experiences and opportunities that they had never had. They allowed her to experience and choose her direction in life and both of them were so proud when she chose a career in non-profit work. Donna and her mother were the best of friends, shopping buddies, and, as Donna says, her mother was the “Ethel to her Lucy”. Their home was filled with love, music (bluegrass was Joyce’s favorite), giving to others, the sound of many loved family pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, and even a parrot) and family. Family was what Joyce cherished the most. Time away from work was always spent with her sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews.

Joyce loved being a mother and also enjoyed having Donna’s friends at their home to play. When many neighbors asked her about keeping their children, Joyce knew that she had found her passion – caring for children. In 1964, she opened Sedgefield Day Care. She began caring for 10 children and when she chose to close her day care due to the terminal illness of her husband, she was caring for 110 children from age 6 weeks to 12 years. Joyce did this with the loving help of her mother, her sister Betty Stallings, her sister-in-law Nancy Reeves along with a team of teachers and staff. Up until her passing, Joyce had children that she had cared for visit and send well wishes on her birthday.

Joyce is survived by her daughter Donna Braswell Ragan and Son-in-Law Michael David Ragan, her sister Doris Robbins of Florida, her brother Kenneth Reeves of Kannapolis, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved mother Antionette Rhyne Reeves, her sister Betty Reeves Stallings (who Joyce said was the kindest person she had ever known), and her brother Jim Reeves (who was her favorite person to attend auctions with).

While her vibrant spirit will be missed and our hearts ache to spend time with her again, it was her love of friends and family, love of a good hug and a big belly laugh, and her love of life and family that will carry with us. We will remember her name and say it forever.

She said, “My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness. Continue to allow humor to lighten the burden of your tender heart.” Maya Angelou

The family requests that memorials be made to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina’s Senior Feeding or Pet Food Bank Programs https://www.secondharvestmetrolina.org/donate-joyce-memorial?fbclid=IwAR1O5jFyKWX9d-w1mNYTWyuqJ-Jnv6mA13AAq9VyAc-ySBfbN-dAGkMu2Xk. Due to the pandemic, a celebration of life will be held for Joyce in early spring, her favorite season. Date and location to be determined.

Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.