Joyce Theresa Vance Jolly

TUSCALOOSA | Joyce Theresa Vance Jolly died Friday, February 20, 2015, with her husband by her side holding her hand. She was born in Atlanta, Ga., while her father was working there temporarily. When she was about 6 months old, the family moved back to Bessemer, her father's home town. She attended St. Aloysius School and Bessemer High School, graduating at 16. She graduated from The University of Alabama at 20 and then taught English and German for five years at Russellville High School where she had a couple of students older than she. She then taught in Oruro Bolivia, for a year before returning to work on her PH.D. in English at The University of Alabama as a recipient of an NDEA Fellowship. After completing her doctorate, she taught at Stillman College for five years where she served as president of the Stillman Women organization. She then taught in the Department of Speech at The University of Alabama where she directed the freshman speech program and teaching assistants. In 1980, she began her career at Shelton State Community College where she taught English and Speech for many years and later served as an Assistant to the President until her retirement in 2000. During the 1980's she also taught Shakespeare at The University of Alabama to overflow classes. During her career, she was the recipient of many honors and awards for teaching. In 1978, she was the recipient of an NEA fellowship to study at the University of Rochester. She also served as an officer in many professional organizations including the South Atlantic Modern Language Association, the Association of College English Teachers of Alabama, and the Southeastern Humanities Association. She loved to travel and made several trips to Europe. Joyce loved to sing, especially choral music. She began singing with the Bessemer Civic Chorale at about 12 years old, was a member of The University Chorus while in college, and was a long time member of the Tuscaloosa Community Singers, until her health prevented her from participating. The highlight of her singing experiences was being selected by Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, the internationally known soprano, to sing in the chorus of two productions in Birmingham and later she was asked to come to Atlanta for additional performances. She is survived by her husband of over 42 1/2 years, Jim; son James Edward (Jed); grandchildren Austin and Sara Katelyn Jolly; sister June Vance; sister-in-law Jennie Sue Jolly; goddaughter Rachel Odom Pierce, special children Bryan and Vickii Marchant, Jon McGee, and Mary Catherine Smith; a host of cousins and a lot of very dear friends who have been so kind and supportive in the last few years. The family is very appreciative of the help and support of our sitter, Leslie Moore. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made to the American Diabetes Association - www.diabetes.org/DonateToday, 3918 Montclair Rd, Birmingham, AL 35209, or to your favorite charity. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 23, 2015, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park with Sunset Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be Sunday, February 22, 2015, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences may be offered at www.sunsetbrown-funeral.com