Joyce Jeanette Blackburn

Joyce Jeannette Ezzell Blackburn was the fourth and youngest child of Zacharia Hooks Ezzell and Lille Mae Taylor Ezzell. Born in Wilson NC, she always shared fond memories of her childhood and the extended family she grew up around. She and her husband of 57 years, Earney Lee Blackburn raised two sons and working together put them through college and got them out on their own.

Her happiest times were spent with family. Gardening with her husband and attending family gatherings always brought her joy. Joyce was a avid reader and collector of books. She loved a good mystery or the occasional romance novel but more than the stories themselves, she loved books. My family has packed and moved more boxes of books than I care to admit and we would do it all again because, well, mom loved books.

Through the years as my brother and I grew up, the lessons taught to us by mom came full circle. She is the voice in our heads still guiding us and providing encouragement and guidance.

She was preceeded in death by her sister Ramona McElveen and is survived by her husband Earney, son Eric, son Lee and his wife Diana, granddaughter Kylee, great grandkids Bentley, Gabby, Vincent, sister Betty Owens, brother Robert Ezzell.

Joyce was a kind soul with a gentle spirit and everyone who knew her benefited from her good heart and grace.

The family will have a visitation from 2:00 p.m. until time of services at Thomas-Yelverton Funeral Home.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Wilson, North Carolina.

If inclement weather occurs the family will have the services in the chapel of Thomas-Yelverton Funeral Home.