Joyce Harbin Pullam

Joyce Harbin Pullam, 91 of Huntsville, Alabama passed away on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. Joyce was born in Huntsville, Alabama on June 2, 1927. She was the second of six children George and Mattie Harbin would raise – with her help. The first three Harbin children had nicknames that stuck; her nickname was Sister. As a teenager, she took care of three younger children while George and Mattie worked.

In 1948, she married Grover Pullam and within a few years had three beautiful children, Gary, Becky and Mark. Joyce was employed most of her life – at many different jobs, starting with housecleaning. She soldered electronics in a factory. She cooked meals at West Huntsville Elementary and the Opportunity Center. As a companion and helper, she provided transportation, ran errands and gave advice for paying customers and friends.

At home, she was known for her baked creations, especially trendy concoctions like Hummingbird cake, Punch Bowl cake and Red Velvet cake. She enjoyed being outdoors and preferred grass cutting to house cleaning. After her children were grown, she traveled with them and others to explore new places, see mountains, walk on beaches, meet people and hear music.

Joyce liked music. Her favorite song at family gatherings was Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville; it reminded her of visiting the Margaritaville Restaurant in Key West. But her favorite singer was Elvis Presley. She decorated her home with Elvis pictures and memorabilia, mostly gifts of friends and family. She visited Graceland twice and an Elvis tribute artist performed at two of her birthday parties.

A stroke in 2006 slowed her down but, with help, she recovered enough to live by herself for some years. When she moved to the nursing home, she weeded the flower beds for the first year

She is survived by her sons, Gary and Mark Pullam; daughter, Becky Griffin; her grandchildren and great grandchildren; sisters, Louise Miller, Barbara Cobb.

You may visit with the family on Friday, March 1, 2019 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4315 Holmes Avenue NW, Huntsville, AL from 10:00am until 11:00am. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00am. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery. Please leave fond memories and condolences for the entire Pullam family at www.valhallafunerals.com.