Winnie Maureen Gunter Joyce was born August 24, 1937 in Stokes County to John Elzie Gunter and Dot Bryan Gunter.
She left her earthly home Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at home surrounded by her family.
The family will receive friends from 6 pm to 8 pm Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Delta United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Friday at the church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
She was preceded in death by her parents: 5 brothers and 3 sisters: Victor Hugo Gunter, John Ewell Gunter, Nancy Dott Tuttle Stevens, Thomas Lee (Jim) Gunter; Effie Ruth Moore; Elzie Foy (Exie) Gunter; Eva Natalene Walker; and Frank Watson Gunter.
She was preceded in death by her husband Alvin Reid Joyce. Their anniversary was February 15 (2 days ago). Reid’s life ended December 10, 2022, just 2 short months ago.
Her survivors include: son Boyd; daughter Penny (John) Thompson; grandchildren Whitney (Drew) Bray and David (Micala) Thompson; great-grandchildren Bailey, Copelyn and Everly; and sister Foxy Ann Pulliam.
If you ask our mother her name, she would often say: Winnie, like Winnie the Pooh. If you ask her how she was doing, she would say: “fat and sassy.”
Winnie graduated from Sandy Ridge High School in 1955. She played basketball all 4 years of high school and was the co-captain her senior year. She was chosen class reporter as a senior; member of the 4-H Club all 4 years; member of the FHA freshman and sophomore years; member of the Monogram Club junior and senior years and served as treasurer in her senior year; member of the Social Club in her sophomore year; member of the Sports Club in her junior year; and member of the Citizenship Club in her junior year.
In the Class of 1955’s “Last Will and Testament” Winnie left her collection of Air Mail Envelopes to Mary Betty Hopkins. (Wonder who she was writing to, to use airmail?) The Class Prophecy projected she would be head coach at Hanes Hosiery in 1965. (That did not happen.)
After graduating from Sandy Ridge High School Winnie went to work at Washington Mills in Mayodan. She also played on their basketball team. She would also do her share of the work when she and her family farmed.
Winnie married Alvin Reid Joyce on February 15, 1957. To this marriage 2 children were born: Anthony Boyd and Penny Sue. They were married by the Mt. Hermon United Methodist Church pastor in the parsonage. They lived in Texas for a short stay while Reid was in the Air Force.
Winnie joined Delta United Methodist Church in the spring of 1982. She was baptized in the Dan River between Dodgetown and Meadows along with her husband and son by Pastor Don Noblitt. She was a faithful member of Delta Church where she served numerous roles and was a faithful member of Sunday School. She participated in the women’s group; helped with stews and Bible School; put the messages out on the church board; attended Bible Study, assisted in delivering meals and generally attended church when the doors were open.
Reid and Winnie received the “Laity Service Award” by the Yadkin Valley District of The Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church on October 20, 2019.
She loved the LORD, her church and her family. She often attended athletic events when her husband, children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren participated. She provided for and made sacrifices for her family. For years every morning before work she prepared coffee, eggs, gravy and a biscuit for Reid before he would go to work. It was spaghetti on Thursday nights and pintos on Friday nights.
Winnie enjoyed eating out. She was often spotted at the Red Top, Pinto’s or any of the other eating establishments in the Sandy Ridge, Stuart, Martinsville and Madison-Mayodan area.
She liked to be around people. She often attended gospel singing events, revivals and the community prayer breakfasts.
She and Joy were the best of friends. They knew how to find a bargain on those day after Christmas sales.
She loved children. She has played a major role in the upbringing of her grandchildren. Many Mondays and Tuesdays she could be found riding with Penny to pick up Bailey and Copelyn at school.
Like Reid she enjoyed playing Rook, Canasta and 21 Pete. For years games of 21 Pete were played by Reid, Winnie, Watson, Connie, Clarence and Orell over at Watson & Connie’s.
For years Saturdays were generally spent with Reid and Boyd at various flea markets and yard sales. Vacations were planned to include antique shows and antique stores. Along with her family she was a collector of various patterns of glass. Her quest for treasures carried her and family from Alabama to Massachusetts. She knew all the good antique shows from Hillsville, Dublin, Liberty and Cameron and included trips through Tennessee to the “World’s Longest Yard Sale.”
When her ability to get around lessened over the years she would spend time with Penny and her customers at the beauty shop. She enjoyed the attention she received and customers came to expect to see her in her favorite chair.
Winnie loved GOD and showed that love by her fruit. The fruit of the Spirit could be seen by her example. (1) She loved and cared for her family; She was one of the caregivers for her mother and looked after the grandchildren during the summer months and after school. (2) You could see the joy in her life as she shared common interest with her family (hobbies, vacations, eating out; (3) She was at peace with neighbors, family and friends; (4) She was patient with those she loved, yet expected discipline from her offspring; (5) She was a kind-hearted woman, often buying eggs when she could get a bargain and giving them to her friends; (6) She is described by so many people as being “a sweet lady,” in other words a good person; (7) She was faithful to this church by her giving and attendance; (8) She was gentle, humble (not wanting to attract attention to herself or wanting credit for good deeds and she was well respected; (9) She practiced self control in the kindness she showed others.
Over the years she has often been the companion with Boyd on his trips to seminary, doctors’ appointments, church events, general errands and trips into town. She has often accompanied Penny to pick up beauty supplies, make deposits at the bank, shopping and visiting a neighbor. Wherever Boyd served a church, Reid and Winnie were faithful to attend special services, whether it was in Wentworth, Albermarle, Reidsville or Stoneville. They made many friends and they loved those church folks and those church folks loved them.
Like Reid, she loved “HOME.” She loved her family and provided for them. For days and perhaps months, she has talked about and wanted to go home. She is now home with Reid and those loved ones who preceded her and she is in the presence of a Heavenly Father who she trusted. She believed JESUS CHRIST to be her LORD and SAVIOR. Her beliefs reflected in her lifestyle.
Memorials may be made to Delta United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 5984 NC Highway 704 E, Sandy Ridge, N.C. 27046
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