Joyce Emery's Obituary
NOTE- Change of location and time
Joyce Emery–devoted mother, wife, sister, and friend–passed away peacefully late Sunday, June 18th after a brief illness; she was 73.
Born on March 24, 1950 in Memphis, Joyce moved around different places with her family until they settled down in Whitehaven. After graduating from Hillcrest High School in 1968, she attended and graduated from Memphis State University where she became a member of Pi Beta Phi and was named “Miss Shape.” She later served in the community in a variety of manners: active in the Jaycettes, worked with Miss Memphis and Miss Tennessee pageants, belonged to the Variety Club, and most recently served on the board of Merge Memphis.
Joyce could always be found in Tiger Blue and loved attending University of Memphis basketball games. The only sporting events she loved more were those of her kids and grandkids.
Known for her laugh, her name truly fit as she brought joy to everyone throughout her life. Whenever she was with her sisters Debbie, Pam, and Dawn, whom she dearly loved, their cackles could be heard from miles away. She also had a multitude of friends and friend groups, some going back over 55 years. From Jo Lyn to Beverly to Babs to her bunco group to the Memphis Blues Queens, Joyce was blessed with so many life-long friendships.
As great of a friend as she was, she was an even better mother and wife. Joyce sacrificed so much as a single mother to make sure her children were successful and was their biggest fans; she was so proud of them and made sure everyone knew of their accomplishments (and she was the biggest part of it). After decades of dating and marriage to the love of her life Larry, she spent several years caring for him before his passing.
After Larry passed away, she became an avid traveler. No matter where or with whom, she was up for any adventure, bags packed. Whether on a quick trip to Nashville, Florida, New York, Phoenix, Tampa, or a cruise to Mexico, she took advantage of every moment these last four years.
Joyce leaves behind two children, Kim Douglas (David) and Brad Turner (Jill); one sister, Dawn Johnson (Glyn); three stepchildren, Debbie Walker (Danny), Chip Turner, and John Turner; six grandchildren, Addison, Cameron, Zachary, Callie, Turner, and Samantha, who were her world; and countless number of other family members and friends.
She is now reunited with her husband, Larry Emery; mother, Barbara Posey; father, Charles Heckle; stepfather, David Posey; sisters, Deborah Raymer (Gerald) and Pam Alexander (Clay); and stepdaughter, Angie Wall (Brian).
The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. with a funeral service at 11:30 a.m. all in Riverside Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Entombment to follow at Memorial Park.
Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. (901) 76708930
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