Joyce Rae Stone

ROCKY MOUNT – Joyce Rae Stone, age 88, left this earth for her Heavenly home on Sunday, April 26, 2026.  She is now reunited in Heaven with her husband, Kurt Stone; her parents, Alfred Bishop Lancaster, Sr. and Thelma Rebecca Johnson Lancaster; her siblings, Linda Maloof and Bishop Lancaster; her sister-in-law, Mahalia Lancaster; and her brother-in-law, Elwood Pope.

Joyce was born on March 22, 1938. She was so tiny, the country doctor did not know if she would survive.  He advised she be placed on a heated water bottle in an open dresser drawer.  God knew her tiny soul, His plans for her were already in motion.  Joyce grew to be a beautiful young lady.  One night while at Sky-Vue Skating Rink, a very handsome young man flashed a flashlight on her during a special couple’s skate.  The rest is history.  Together, they built a life of love to God, to each other, and to family.  Joyce was a doer, a worker always in the background.  She loved people.  Joyce called them, sent them cards, and visited them.  She was always there when someone needed her.  She never asked for praise or the spotlight.  The Salvation Army was her church.  A major piece of her life.  Joyce loved the mission, the music, the people.  Her church family was her extended family.  Joyce served God faithfully in her church.  She will be missed greatly by every person blessed to be in her presence.

Joyce is survived by her brothers, James Henry Lancaster, Bobby Lee Lancaster, and Joseph Earl Lancaster, and her “brother”, James David Frazier, Sr.; her sisters, Thelma Kaye Pope, Rhonda Whitley, and Deena Lancaster; her sisters-in-law, Carol Lancaster, Kay Lancaster, Joyce Matthews, and Ruth Brewer; her countless nieces and nephews; her great-nieces and nephews; and her great great-nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Joyce’s life will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services with Major Al Smith officiating.  Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

A Private Family Burial will be held at a later date at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made in Joyce’s memory to the Salvation Army of Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson Counties, 1000 Hunter Hill Road, Rocky Mount, NC  27804.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.