Ms. Joyce Juanita Simmons-Chase, of Whitmore Cove Court, died Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008, at Forsyth Medical Center. She was born April 24, 1941 in Harrellsville, North Carolina to Mary Sephus and the late John Henry Simmons. At the age of six, she moved to Brooklyn, New York. Joyce was a loving daughter, mother, and dear friend to many. While these were her favorite roles, she also successfully achieved an outstanding academic career and went on to create a stellar professional career. She graduated from Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, New Jersey. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bloomfield College with a degree in Sociology and studied for a Masters Degree at Seton Hall University. For many years, she excelled as a financial executive within corporate America. During her busy career, she enjoyed mentoring young professionals. She often said, “In life, we find ourselves preparing for the future; yet, we can always create many excuses for why our time is too limited to be a resource to others. However, in our hearts it should be much more difficult to explain why it is we limit the time we spend with young people, the embodiment of the very future to which we look forward.” Joyce’s philanthropic spirit led to her recognition as “Linkage Achiever of the Year,” an award presented by the New Jersey YMWCA Black Achievers Association. Prior to retirement, she was Assistant Vice President in her favorite role as the Director of Regional Customer Service for PNC Bank.
She leaves to mourn her mother, Mary Sephus; daughter, Dr. Chere Monique Chase, born to Frank and Joyce Chase; aunts: Agnes Scranton and Dr. Areatha Jones; uncles: King Hezekiah Sharpe, Charlie R. Sharpe, Clarence Simmons, and Jimmy Simmons. Also in mourning are her sister-cousins: Carolyn Faye Ivory, Dr. Bernadine S. Chapman and life-long friend, Dolores Sheppard; as well as a host of many other nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were conducted at 2 pm Monday, September 22, 2008 from the Union Baptist Church, 1200 N. Trade Street with Reverend Dr. Sir Walter Mack, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Pleasant Church Cemetery, Harrellsville, NC on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. The family visitation was held from 1 pm until 2 pm on Monday at the church.
The family would like to express a special thanks to the physicians, nurses and staff of Forsyth Medical Center Emergency Department and Radiology. Our family recognizes their valiant efforts to save her life and their caring gentleness in guiding her home. As a reflection of Joyce’s generous heart and spirit, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations are sent online at http://www.alz.org to the Alzheimer’s Association in memorial to Joyce Chase. So that the family may thank you, please send recognition requests to Dr. Chere Chase at Forsyth Stroke and Neurovascular Center, 3333 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27103.
Online condolences can be made at www.russellfuneralservice.com (RUSSELL)