Joyce Boone Dickens

ROCKY MOUNT – Joyce Boone Dickens, age 90, passed away Sunday, June 04, 2023, at the ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC, due to complications from a fall at home on May 27, 2023. A native of the Justice Community in Franklin County, NC, Joyce was born March 25, 1933, the daughter of the late Taylor Webb Boone and Grace May Boone. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Jarrett Earl Dickens; and by brothers, William Taylor Boone and Edward Eugene Boone; and sister, Evelyn Boone Willey. An independent woman, Joyce graduated from Edward Best High School with honors and attended Louisburg College. She worked her entire adult life in a variety of jobs including secretary to the Plant Manager at China-American Tobacco Company, before moving to various public service positions in the NC government, finishing her career as a Sergeant at the Fountain Correctional Center for Women in Rocky Mount. Joyce was an excellent cook and loved animals her entire life, especially cats. She was a longtime member of Lakeside Baptist Church. Joyce leaves behind her son, David Michael Dickens and wife, Jill, of Mebane, NC; grandchildren, Allison Dickens Livingston, and husband, Bennett, of Simpsonville, SC, Shannon Laing Smith and husband, Michael, of Austin, TX, and Christopher Robert Laing of Denver, CO; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Graveside Service to celebrate Joyce’s life will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Rocky Mount Memorial Park Chapel on the Hill Mausoleum with Dr. Jody Wright officiating. A Private Entombment was conducted prior to Joyce’s celebration service. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Jamie Hoad, Ella Pitman, Wanda Daniels, Sharon Terry, and Angela Vick for the care and support shown to Joyce, allowing her to remain at home until her death. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Joyce’s memory to Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Ave, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or the Edgecombe-Nash Humane Society PO Box 1783 Rocky Mount, NC 27802. 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. Condolences can also be sent to David and Jill Dickens, 3906 Clearview Drive Mebane, NC 27302.