Joyce Deloris (Jones) Taylor

Re-JOYCE

Joyce Deloris Jones was born on September 1, 1945, to the late Deacon Walter Jones and Deaconess Sarah Lillian Jones in Freeman, Virginia.  She transitioned to eternal life with the Lord on Sunday, June 12, 2022.  Her brothers Samuel, Rudolph, Oliver, and Alphonsa; and her sister, Mary preceded her in death.

Joyce received her formal education and graduated from James Solomon Russell High School in Lawrenceville, Virginia in 1964.  She continued her education at Cortez W. Peters Business College in Washington, D.C., where she played basketball and graduated with an Associate Degree in Business in 1966.  It was during her time in D.C. that she met and married Robert J. Taylor, Sr.  The two married on April 28, 1969, and together they raised two children, Robert, Jr. “Bobby” and Rodney.

Joyce began her professional career in the federal government as the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Human Resources Office for the Treasury Department.  She continued as an Executive Assistant with the Department of the Interior, where she retired in 1994.  After her retirement, Joyce returned home to Emporia, Virginia and fully enjoyed life as a retiree.  While living in Emporia, Joyce rededicated her membership with her family church, First Baptist Church in Freeman, Virginia.  It was here that she accepted Christ at an early age and continued to serve as a faithful and dedicated member during her retirement.  After several years in Emporia, Joyce relocated to the Hampton Roads area to be closer to her grandchildren, her heartbeats as she affectionately referred to them. 

Shortly after her move to Newport News, Virginia, Joyce joined the membership at Shiloh Baptist Church in Yorktown, Virginia, where she worshiped weekly.  She was an invaluable member to the usher and greeters ministries and a devoted personal administrative assistant to Pastor Barbara Lemon. 

Joyce was a faithful mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend.  Left to cherish her beautiful memory are her sons, Robert Taylor, Jr. (Cindy) of Waldorf, MD, and Rodney Taylor (Shontae) of Yorktown, VA; five grandchildren, Adrian Jackson, Jordyn Taylor, Destiny Taylor, Ryan Taylor, and Deidra Coleman; siblings, Fred Jones, Connie Jones (Gloria), and Vernita Gibbsons, all of Freeman, VA, and a host of nieces, nephews, loving relatives, bonus sons, and close friends. 

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Shiloh Baptist Church.  Livestream will be available at the beginning of the service.  Interment will be at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in the Jones Family Cemetery, 6209 Belfield Road, Freeman, Virginia 23856.  Mrs. Taylor may be viewed in the church on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Facial coverings are required for all services.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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