Ruth H. Joyce

Ruth H. Joyce passed away at her home on Tuesday, November 20, 2018. Ruth was a kind and gracious lady who was admired and loved by everyone.  Born November 9, 1926 to Clarence William and Mamie Turner Hurt, she grew up in the Henry community where her parents operated C. W. Hurt Grocery and she attended school.  Upon finishing Business School in Martinsville and working briefly at the War Department in Washington, she returned to Henry and worked at the post office as part-time Clerk and later Postmaster.  She married Jimmie L. Wadkins in 1946 and had two children prior to his death in the Korean Conflict in 1951.  She later married David Joyce and they had three more children. Together, they raised five children in a wonderful, loving Christian home. She joyfully served in her church in many capacities.

In addition to her parents and Jimmie Wadkins, Ruth is preceded in death by James David Joyce, her husband of forty-five years; her dearest daughter, Kathryn Jo Wadkins; three brothers, Paul Ira, Billy Josiah, and Elwood Clarence Hurt; and a son-in-law, Lee E. Cheatham.

She is survived by four children, Billy Wadkins (Betty), Betty Ruth Joyce, Cindy Lee Cheatham, and James Marshall Joyce, seven grandchildren: Lisa (David) Thompson, Heather (Jeff) Scott, Jay (Tanya) Wadkins; David (Samantha) Pendleton, Amy (Tim) Weaver; Robert Cheatham, Katrina (Dean) Paxton; and eleven great grandchildren: Abigail, Andrew, and Grace Cheatham; Gideon, Josiah, and Hope Thompson; Eli and Elle Wadkins; Nate Scott; Jesse and Joel Paxton. Also surviving are two special sisters-in-law, Margaret Hurt and Janice Joyce, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In her own words she would like to remind us all “teach your children and grandchildren about the salvation and love of God and to live lives portraying that Christian life – not just for a little while but always.”

Funeral Service will be conducted at 11:00 on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 with visitation on Friday, Nov. 23, from 6-8 at Flora Funeral Service in Rocky Mount. Also, condolences may be made online at www.florafuneralservice.com . Interment is at the Thompson-Hurt Family Cemetery on Hawpatch Road. In lieu of flowers, donations to Henry Fire Department or Prillaman Baptist Church are most appreciated.