Joyce Elizabeth Myers Williams was born on November 25, 1940 in Blowing Springs, GA to Clinton Myers, Sr. and Doris Bonds Myers Davis. Joyce was the oldest of five children. She, along with her brothers Clinton, Jr., Lowell, Lionel, and Reginald grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee in a loving home with their mother, and her step-father, Arthur Davis.
As the only girl, Joyce was seen as the “mother hen” bossing her brothers around. Although she easily embraced the assertive role of a big sister, she was also very loving and supportive of her siblings. Joyce attended Chattanooga public schools including Orchard Knob Junior High School. As a teenager, she moved to Chicago, Illinois to live with her Uncle Quintus and Aunt Harriett. Upon graduating from Loretto Academy, she attended Tennessee State University.
Following her marriage to Hollis Williams and the birth of their first child, Joyce moved north to Cleveland, Ohio. While working as a secretary, Joyce took classes alongside her husband at his graduate school, Case Western Reserve University. Due to a professional opportunity, the family, now consisting of two sons, relocated to Perth Amboy. There, Joyce had her last child, a daughter, and also worked in the Admitting Department at Perth Amboy General Hospital.
The family subsequently moved to Scotch Plains, NJ where Joyce continued her education attending classes at Kean University. She advanced her career working at Johnson & Johnson Ethicon, Multitone Electronics, and opened a day care center in her home. Finally, Joyce accepted a position at Bell Labs and remained there through all the many company shifts and name changes, eventually working under the corporate umbrella of Lucent Technologies. Employed for over 30 years in the Lucent Human Resources Department, she took her profession quite seriously, ensuring that the company followed the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) policies. She often took the time to educate others on EEOC laws, thus doing her part to ensure the rights of others were not overlooked.
In her spare time, Joyce relished planting vegetables and beautiful flowers. Often winning awards, her floral garden was the envy of others. She loved to cook, shop, travel, and stay in touch with her relatives from all over the country. Joyce also enjoyed watching television, fondly remembering watching western movies with her grandfather, dancing, and playing the piano. She cherished the time spent with her grandchildren.
In her retirement, Joyce moved to Concord, North Carolina taking advantage of the warm weather and close proximity of two of her children.
Joyce was predeceased by both her parents, Clinton Myers, Sr., and Doris Davis; her step-father, Arthur Davis; her brothers, Clinton Myers, Jr. and Lowell Myers.
She is survived by her children, Victor Williams, Sr. (Cassandra), Vincent Williams, and Monique Williams; grandchildren, Victor Williams, Jr., Trevor Williams, and Rachel Williams; two brothers, Lionel Davis (Sonia) and Reginald Davis; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
A Visitation for Joyce will be on Friday, August 12, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services-Franklin-Strickland Chapel, 1724 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404.
Funeral Services will immediately follow at 1:00 PM.
Committal service will be at Forest Hills Cemetery, 4016 Tennessee Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37409.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to St Jude’s Hospital.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.advantagefranklin-strickland.com for the Williams family.
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