Joyce Graham Fesperman, 91, of Cleveland, died Thursday, April 10, 2026, at The Gardens of Statesville, NC, surrounded by her family. She was born in Rowan County on July 21, 1934, to the late Mary Brotherton Graham and John Carlton Graham.
She graduated from Cleveland High School in 1952 and Salisbury Business College in 1953. On July 4, 1964, she married Clyde C. Fesperman, who preceded her in death on May 24, 1995. One of her first jobs was working in Statesville for Statesville Motor Coach. She was retired from Grinnell Fire Protection Systems, where she began working in July 1959, and was also a member of Cleveland United Methodist Church until its closing in June 2019.
Along with her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Mildred Bradford, Dorothy Mayhew, and Juanita Graham, and one brother, Buford Graham.
Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Jan Matlock (Jeff), of Woodleaf, NC. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Amanda Moncrieff (Tanner), of Maiden, NC, and Dale Matlock, of Woodleaf, NC.
Funeral services for Joyce Fesperman will be conducted on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Glenn Myers officiating. Burial will follow in the Cleveland Town Cemetery in Cleveland, NC. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home in Statesville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.
The family is thankful for the wonderful care given by—and the love the caregivers showed at—The Gardens of Statesville for the past five years. The family is also very grateful for the friendship and love of many residents at The Gardens. The compassionate care and love given by Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County brought great comfort to the whole family.
Condolences and messages of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home of Statesville is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Fesperman and her family.
