Joyce Cox Billings

Mrs. Joyce Cox Billings, age 85, of Thurmond passed away Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation. Joyce was born July 20, 1935 in Wilkes County to Elder Guy R. and Annie Bateman Cox.

Joyce was Miss Joyce to many little girls and boys that attended First Baptist Church of Elkin Play School. Joyce loved all the children and kept every note and gift that the children gave her over the years. Joyce was a much-loved Sunday School teacher for many years at Mining Ridge Baptist Church and later for years at First Baptist Church of Elkin. Joyce also enjoyed working as supervisor at Tultex in Dobson for 30 years.

Joyce was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Elkin. Joyce loved her church family and they loved her.

Of all her accomplishments in life, her most fulfilling was being a loving and caring wife to her late husband, Ira. Joyce stood by Ira’s side in life for 69 years and 11 months. Ira was the love of her life. They were inseparable, and Joyce missed him terribly after he moved to heaven in December of 2019.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Billy Cox, Warren Cox, R.A. Cox, Cabell Cox, and sisters, Blanche Brown and LaVerne Cox.

Survivors include: her loving daughters, Priscilla Parker and husband Jim of Sparta, Jeannette Hendrick and husband Frank of Elkin; grandchildren, Christy Carter and husband James, Jamie Wood and wife Terry, Denise Felts and husband Toby, Elizabeth Bryant and husband Garrett; great-grandchildren, Jim Carter, Will Felts, Darbey Wood, Gabe Wood, Katie Carter, and Lilly Felts.  A sister, Sylvia Key and husband Danny and brother, Tim Cox and wife Debbie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at Hollywood Cemetery with Rev. Justin Bell and Rev. Jamie Wood officiating. The family requests all in attendance please wear a mask. Joyce will lie-in-state on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Elkin, 110 Gwyn Ave., Elkin, NC 28621.

The family would like to thank Dr. Steve Erlandson; Dr. David Majure; Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care and her Hospice nurse Debbie and the staff of Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation who went above and beyond and loved and cared much for Joyce.