Joyce Creech Lee, 76, of Clayton, North Carolina, left her earthly body on Saturday, April 17, 2021, and is now in the presence of the Lord. She was born to Perry Creech and Eloise Creech on April 14, 1945 in Clayton, North Carolina. After the passing of her father, she, her mother and sister started a new life with her loving stepfather, Jacob Stephenson, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
At the age of 14, Joyce met her soulmate and the love of her life, Percy Lee, in 1959. Percy and Joyce were married on August 30, 1960 and shared sixty years of devotion. Joyce was a loving wife and mother, and she treasured the role “Mama Joyce” to her precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family filled her life with joy, and she cherished every moment she shared with them.
In addition to working with her husband at TR Lee’s and in their real estate investments, Joyce worked as a teacher’s assistant for many years at Clayton Primary School and Cooper Elementary School. She also worked as a secretary at Cooper Elementary School. Throughout her career in education, Joyce dearly loved and cared for every child she encountered. A natural caregiver and nurturer, Joyce earned the respect and gratitude of her students and their parents. Joyce was a proud member of First Baptist Church in Clayton. Joyce and Percy loved traveling and going out to eat with family and friends. She enjoyed all kinds of crafts, including baking, making candies and cross-stitching.
Joyce is survived by her cherished and loving husband, Percy Lee, daughter Deborah Lee Coats and husband, Kenneth, and son Scott Lee and wife, Laura. She was the proud grandmother to six grandchildren: Tyler Coats (Megan), Kendra Coats Deans (Richard), Kaitlyn Coats Millard (Kris), Brandon Lee (Kyle), Kelsey Lee (fiancé David Hyman) and MacKenzie Lee, and eight great-grandchildren: Kamdon, Kolt, Kaison, Kord, Dean, Kyleigh, Hunter and Jaxon. And, she was overjoyed with anticipation of her ninth great-grandchild, Kendra and Richard’s son, due in July. Joyce is also survived by a sister Jo Ann Dupree, sisters-in-law Joyce Lee Blackley (Ernest), Nola Wayne Lee, Peggy Lee, Shirley Lee and Shirley Jean Lee, brothers-in-law George Lee (Susan), Fred Lee (Texie), Hubert Lee (Bonnie), along with many nieces, nephews and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her mother Eloise Stephenson, father Perry Creech, stepfather Jacob Stephenson, brothers-in-law Donnie Dupree, Ernest Lee, Proctor Lee, Troy Lee, Raymond Lee and Ricky Lee and sister-in-law Cathie Lee.
Joyce’s family wishes to thank the many caregivers, friends and family members who helped Joyce maintain her dignity as her health declined.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Clayton with burial following at Pinecrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends following the committal service at McLaurin Funeral Home. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Lee family may be entered below within the "add a memory" tab.
