Shirley Rakestraw Joyce

Shirley Rakestraw Joyce, 79, of Stoneville, passed away Monday evening, September 7, 2015 at Moses Cone Hospital after a brief illness.

A graveside service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, September 12, at Ridgeview Memorial Gardens, 1658 NC Highway 135 in Eden, officiated by Reverend Ben Wilkerson

Born on April 6, 1936 in Rockingham County to Giles Dallas and Lucy Purgason Rakestraw, Shirley attended Stoneville grammar school and graduated from Stoneville High School in 1954, where she was a cheerleader for the Stoneville Eagles for four years and chief cheerleader for two years. She was president of the Glee Club during her senior year and voted the most popular girl in her senior class. Shirley was a member of the newspaper staff during her senior year. She was selected "Miss Stoneville High of 1953" and was also named "Miss Popularity" in 1949 and 1951. After graduation she completed a comptometer course in Charlotte, NC. Shirley spent her life's career at American Tobacco Company in Reidsville, NC, retiring in 1991. She served as Worthy Matron of the Tri-City Chapter No. 95, Order of the Eastern Star.

She is survived by a brother, Garland Rakestraw and wife, Ann Thrasher Rakestraw of Stoneville, NC; sister-in-law, Susie Tysor Rakestraw of Madison, NC; 14 nieces and nephews; 19 great-nieces and nephews; and 10 great-great-nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 28 years, Jewel G. Joyce; brothers, Percy Rakestraw, James Rakestraw, Raymond Rakestraw and Robert Rakestraw; and sisters, Annie R. Faggart and Frances R. Irving.

The family will greet relatives and friends following the service from 11:45 AM to 1:45 PM at the Morehead-Fair House, adjacent to Fair Funeral Home on Boone Road

Memorial contributions may be made to Smyrna Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund c/o Ann Dixon, 291 Crowder Road, Madison, NC 27025.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com