Mary Joyce Williford

Joyce Holley Williford

Matthews, GA  – God called Mary Joyce Holley Williford, 78, loving wife of the late William “Harry” Williford, home on Thursday afternoon, February 5, 2015 at Doctors Hospital. Funeral services will be held at James Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00PM on Sunday, February 8, 2015 with Edward C. James officiating. Interment will follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens.

One of nine children born to the late Mary Elizabeth Wheeler Holley and the late James Holley, Sr., Joyce was a lifelong resident of Jefferson County and retired after 20+ years of service in Quality Control/Samples Department at Glit, Inc.  She had a very strong work ethic and worked as long as her health allowed. She could play the piano by ear and could be found playing the piano and singing  old-time gospel songs. A great cook, she loved to prepare Sunday dinners weekly for her entire family. Joyce loved children and caring for people. She was most content and happiest in the presence of her family.  At the end, she was very eager to see her family, especially her husband, Mama and Daddy, in Heaven. Joyce is now in her eternal home and at rest.

Joyce is also preceded in death by her siblings, Infant Boy Holley, W. C. Holley, Audrey Bowles, Jimmie Holley, JoAnn Prescott, and Peggy Strickland. Survivors include her four children, Rhonda W. Marsh (Phil), Debra Williford, Wade Williford and Steve Williford (Rande); two siblings, Margie L. James and Don K. Holley (Jane); four grandchildren, Kristen Marsh, Abbie Blackmon (Brad), Seth Williford and Stephanie Williford; four great grandchildren, Brantley Marsh, Chloe Vogt, Hunter Blackmon and Walker Blackmon; many nieces, nephews and cousins.  Pallbearers will be Mike Bowles, Jason Holley, Kenneth Holley, Mark Holley, Tommy Holley and Darrell Nickles.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00PM Saturday evening, February 7, 2015.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave 7th FL, NY, NY 10001 or online at alzfdn.org.

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Legacy of Love

A wife, a mother, a grandma too,
This is the legacy we have from you.

You taught us love and how to fight,
You gave us strength, you gave us might.

A stronger person would be hard to find,
And in your heart, you were always kind.

You fought for us all in one way or another,
Not just as a wife, not just as a mother.

For all of us you gave your best,
Now the time has come for you to rest.

So go in peace, you’ve earned your sleep,
Your love in our hearts, we’ll eternally keep.

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