Janet Irene Martin Joyce

JOYCE WALNUT COVE On Thursday, March 23, Janet Irene Martin Joyce was reunited with her high school sweetheart, Billy Joe Joyce, for all eternity in the service of Christ Jesus—her Lord and Savior. Janet was born in High Point, North Carolina, to Jesse Worth and Murphy Irene Joyce Martin on January 25, 1939. She graduated from Lawsonville High School. She met Billy when she was scorekeeper of a high school baseball game between Lawsonville and Walnut Cove. Billy and Janet were married on September 6, 1958, at the home of her parents in Lawsonville. Janet received her bachelor’s degree in English from High Point College (now High Point University) and began a long career in education at Lawsonville Elementary School. She went on to teach 8th grade English at King Elementary and then Chestnut Grove Middle School, from which she eventually retired. She was widely known for commanding and receiving the undivided attention of her students and instilling an appreciation for the English language and literature—a hallmark of her teaching was her reading the novel Jane Eyre, to almost every class every year. In retirement, she was a reading teacher at Pine Hall Elementary School, where her brother, David Martin, was Principal. She was a mentor to numerous future educators, served many years on the Board of Directors of Stokes-Reynolds Memorial Hospital, and was organist for Bethel Baptist Church for more than 50 years. She also honed and demonstrated her considerable quilting and seamstress skills making untold numbers of gorgeous quilts, as well as baptismal gowns for many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She won numerous Blue, Red, and White ribbons for quilts and garments at the Stokes County Agricultural Fair and Dixie Classic Fair. Her family eagerly anticipated Christmas for the fabulous confections she made including peanut butter balls, coconut balls, haystacks, and various other treats! Janet had 4 children, whom she and Billy called their “4 Aces:” Anthony, Annette, Allison, and Amber—all of whom she taught in her 8th grade English classes. Janet was preceded into eternity by her high school sweetheart, Billy Joe; her parents; brothers Kenneth and John Martin; and sisters Rebecca Worthington and Linda Davis; and niece Elizabeth Davis. Those still here to cherish her memory are her children Joseph Anthony and Kathy Lynne Joyce, Christie Annette Joyce Gause, Janet Allison and John Britton, and Jo Amber and Micah Lovette. Eleven grandchildren Chris Wrenn (Danielle), Karoline Joyce (Kyle), Keaton Joyce, and Kylie Joyce (Minh); Hannah Gause (Kendon) and Katelyn Gause; Luke Britton; Ethan, Andrew, Beck, and Eliza Lovette. Four great-grandchildren Eloise, Liam, and Levi Wrenn and Aurora Galletta-Joyce. Brothers Dr. Benny Worth Martin (Kelsie), Bobby Martin (Betty), and David Martin, along with a host of nieces and nephews far and wide. A celebration of Janet’s life will be held at Burrough’s Funeral Home on Sunday, March 26. Visitation will begin at 2PM, please wear bright/colorful attire, followed by the Celebration Service at 3:00PM. Burial will follow in the cemetery of Bethel Baptist Church immediately following the Celebration Service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Janet’s memory to the donor’s favorite charity, the Stokes County Retired Teachers’ Scholarship Fund, or give a gift of flowers or a blooming plant to someone not expecting to receive such a blessing.

Janet Irene Martin Joyce

January 25, 1939 - March 23, 2023