Joyce Woodlief Tilley

Joyce (Gayenelle) Woodlief Tilley, formerly of 133 Pheasant Court in Rocky Mount, died peacefully on Sunday, June 1, 2014 at Elmcroft Assisted Living in Raleigh. She was born August 26, 1928 to the late Aubrey Woodlief Sr. and Sarah Powell Woodlief. She was predeceased by her husband, Thompson Milton Tilley; and brothers, Bervin, Fleming, Maynard, Woodrow and Aubrey Jr.; and sisters, Selene Wright, Ione King, Hortense Gibson, Nadine Bradley and Clina Wheeler. Joyce was a fiercely independent lady who was involved in many volunteer organizations and was dedicated to her Christian faith and serving the Lord in many aspects of her life. She deeply loved her children and family. One of the happiest times in her life was working for the Rocky Mount Fire Department as an administrative assistant to the chief. Many would say she thought she was in charge of the Fire Department! Our family is so appreciative of the love and caring from the firemen over the years as they became her second family. Her dedication to her faith included being a charter member of Edgemont Baptist Church, charter member of Northside Baptist, and she remained a current member of First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount. She was actively involved with the North Roanoke Baptist Association in leadership roles, Womens Missionary Union, served most of her adult life as a Sunday School teacher, and served in many other roles for which she was called with her church and community. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Tilley Thompson and husband John of Raleigh; son, Timothy Mac Tilley and wife Rose of Georgetown SC; grandchildren, Jacob Thompson Arthur and wife Lisa, Amanda Arthur Kent and husband Patrick; and great-grandchildren, Andrew, Ella Grace and Samantha Arthur and Daniel Kent, all of Raleigh. She is also survived by a grandson by marriage, Blair Thompson and wife Nicole of Charlotte. Her one living sibling is Lavoy Adams of Durham and she has many special nieces and nephews as well. The family will receive friends and relatives 6:00pm to 8:00pm Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home. A service to remember Joyce will be held 11:00am Wednesday at First Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Grisham and Rev. Larry Curtis officiating. Burial will follow at Pineview Cemetery. We are so thankful to the staff at Elmcroft, Dr. Lalita Sidana, and the entire Transitions LifeCare Team from Hospice for their support during her illness. Flowers will be accepted but the family requests memorials be made in her memory to First Baptist Church, 200 S. Church Street, Rocky Mount NC 27804 or the RM Fire Department Benevolent Fund, 375 East Raleigh Blvd, Rocky Mount NC 27801. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Tuesday 6/3, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Service First Baptist Church (Rocky Mount) 200 S. Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-446-9113 --> | Wednesday 6/4, 11:00 am Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801