Sarah Joyce Tillman Willis, 69, of Lawndale, passed away Sunday, August 18, 2013 at her residence.
Born December 28, 1943 in Cleveland County, she was a daughter of the late Blaine Franklin Tillman and Susie Jeannette Hoyle Tillman. Joyce retired from Cleveland County Schools as a lunchroom manager for Burns Middle School. She was a lifetime member of Kadesh United Methodist Church and in her early married life she was very active at horse shows. Joyce was a caregiver at heart and enjoyed caring for her family and friends. She supported her family in school athletics and was active in booster clubs. She fed many Burns football players prior to their games.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Kenneth Boyd Willis; two daughters, Kim Elliott and husband, Bruce and Tammy Clark and husband, Rodney all of Lawndale; brother and sister-in-law, Neal and Beth Tillman of Lawndale; sister and brother-in-law, Becky and Chuck Earley of Shelby; brothers-in-law, Lamar Willis and Cecil Willis and wife, Judy; sisters-in-law, Hilda Willis, Nell Willis and Grace Willis; seven grandchildren, Justin Potter, Rodney Elliott, Miranda Navey, Emily Price, Ashley Wortman, Collin Elliott and Brooke Elliott; and twelve great-grandchildren.
Visitation: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Thursday at Kadesh United Methodist Church
Funeral Service: 3:00 PM, Thursday at Kadesh United Methodist Church
Officiating: Rev. Kathy Earley
Burial: Kadesh United Methodist Church Cemetery, Lawndale
Memorials: May be made to Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 or to Kadesh United Methodist Church, PO Box 689, Fallston, NC 28042.
A guest register is available at www.stameyfuneralhome.com.
Stamey Funeral Home in Fallston is serving the family of Mrs. Willis.