Willie Joyce Carter

Willie Joyce Carter was born on July 3, 1946, to the late Robinson Judge and Evelyn Blake-Judge in Greenville, South Carolina. She was the fourth of five siblings. Joyce was educated in the Greenville County School System and at an early age joined and was baptized as a member of John Wesley Methodist Church in Greenville, SC. She transitioned from labor to reward on April 14, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones.

While in Greenville, SC Willie met the love of her life the late Ivory William Carter and they married on December 18, 1962. To this union they were blessed with two children, Ivory Timothy and Angela La’Shale Carter.

Joyce started a fulfilling career at AAFES in 1987, where she proudly worked for Military Clothing and retired on May 31, 2014, after 27 years of service. While working at Davis Monthan AFB, Joyce became a member of the Davis-Monthan Black Heritage Committee where she served in several capacities. Her real love was modeling African Attire in the fashion show the Committee sponsored in honor of Black History Month.

Joyce had an amazing sense of humor and a beautiful laugh! Her wit was razor sharp and she was known to say the most shocking things in hopes of providing a unique perspective. She was kind, generous, nurturing, and compassionate to everyone. Joyce never met a stranger, every person she met became her friend instantly. he was very inquisitive and within five minutes or less she knew that person’s whole life story. Often, she took on the role of a mentor providing guidance advice and support to others as well as serving as a role model providing counseling and advocating to show diverse ways to accomplish things.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Ivory William Carter Jr, her son Ivory Timothy Carter, parents Robinson Judge and Evelyn Blake-Judge, and siblings William Judge, Roberta Bembry, James Judge and Charles Judge. She is survived by her daughter Angela La’Shale Carter, Aunt Ruth Smalls (VA), sister-in-laws Shirley Judge (Bronx, NY), Lorraine Judge (Portsmouth, VA), and Reverend Thelma Louis Morris (Raleigh, NC), grandchildren Ivory, Trimiriam, Ibone, Vincent, and Iceland. Additional children include: Karen Rotan, Linda Rotan-Mitchell, Willie Belton, John Wigglesworth, and Daryl and Annkatri Littleton. She is also survived by a host of great grandchildren, relatives, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She touched many people who will always remember and cherish her.

A visitation for Willie will be held Friday, April 28, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at East Lawn Palms Mortuary, 5801 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712. A funeral service will occur Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Rising Star Baptist Church, 2800 E 36th St, Tucson, AZ 85713. A graveside service will occur Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, 5801 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastlawnpalmsmortuary.com for the Carter family.