Dr. Joyce H. Reynolds

Joyce Irene Hinson Reynolds, MD, 97, died on December 30, 2022 at Cadence of Clemmons after a period of declining health. Born on November 13, 1925 in Durham, NC, Joyce was the only child of the late Thera Earl Hinson and Irene Brown Hinson.

Joyce grew up in Chapel Hill, while also spending time in Biloxi, Mississippi, where her father served as a Colonel in the Air Force Reserves. Joyce pursued the arts in her youth, often performing in dance and music recitals, as well as school plays. She was an excellent student, and after graduating from Chapel Hill High School in 1942, Joyce enrolled in Women’s College in Greensboro. She later transferred to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BS in Medicine in 1947. While there, she was also a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. At UNC she met and married William “Bill” Joseph Reynolds who had served heroically in World War II and was also a student. Joyce enrolled in Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest College and graduated in 1952, notably becoming the first woman ever to receive the Harry E. Shepardson Award, the highest honor given each year to one student in the graduating class. Her quiet strength and leadership were a lifelong presence, and Joyce held office in numerous classes, clubs and professional groups throughout college, medical school and her career as a physician.

Following her internship at Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Joyce started a family practice in Kernersville, NC. She, Bill and their young son, Richard “Dick” Joseph Reynolds, lived upstairs in their home while Joyce’s medical office was on the first floor. Joyce was a compassionate physician often taking house calls at all hours. After years of private practice, Joyce spent several years in public health before becoming the first full-time practicing emergency physician in the state of NC. She and two partners established the Emergency Department at Forsyth Memorial Hospital, and Joyce was President of Forsyth Emergency Services in 1977. She also served on the NC Board of Medical Examiners for several years and was President of the Board in 1981 and 1982. After twenty plus years at the Emergency Department at Forsyth Memorial, Dr. Reynolds decided to retire from full time practice to enjoy her peaceful farm where she daily walked her beautiful woods. However, Joyce missed her patients and returned to work part time at Kernersville Urgent Care. She was in her 80’s when she began volunteering at the Community Care Center in Winston-Salem. Dr. Reynolds was inducted into the Bowman Gray Society in 2018 honoring her for a half century of medical legacy.

In January 2018 at the age of 92, Joyce survived a devastating fire which claimed her home of 50 years. She then lived with her son Dick and daughter-in-law Nina in Winston-Salem until she entered Assisted Living at Cadence of Clemmons. She was much loved at Cadence for her quiet demeanor and her beautiful trademark braided hair.

Joyce had many interests – among them gardening, feeding her Hummingbirds, cooking, reading, painting, crocheting, watching basketball, and all things Carolina Blue! A reserved person by nature, she especially loved the companionship of her dogs and the solitude of her farm. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill in 1981 and her only son Dick in 2021. She is survived by her family who lovingly called her “Granny J’ – Daughter-in Law- Nina Ellis Reynolds, Grandsons – William “Billy” T. Reynolds (Kristina), Richard “Rich” J. Reynolds, III (Berkley) and Ryan A. Reynolds (Sarah) all of Winston-Salem. She is also survived by her treasures – her eight great grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Katie, Riley, Finn, Lucy, Jake, Vanessa, Jack and Vivi. She always marveled at her large family when she only had one child.

A memorial service to honor Dr. Reynolds’ life and legacy will be held at St Clement’s Episcopal Church, 3600 Harper Road, Clemmons, NC on Friday, March 10. 2023 at 2 pm. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Privately, Joyce will be laid to rest at The Old Chapel Hill Cemetery beside her parents and husband. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations may be made to Community Care Center, 2135 New Walkertown Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27101-3420 or the charity of their choice.