Joan Almeda Roy

Joan Teresa Almeda Roy, born on July 24, 1938, in Taunton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2024, at the age of 86. She was the beloved daughter of Margaret Mary Govoni Almeida and Manuel Peter Almeida.

Joan was a devoted wife to her late husband, Normand Raymond Roy, with whom she shared a lifetime of love, adventure, and family.

Joan is survived by her children and grandchildren, who were the pride and joy of her life:

• CJ Roy and his significant other, Meredith Wright, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, along with his step-son, Logan Charrier, of Baker, Louisiana, and his son, Chris Roy, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

• Paul Roy of Celina, Texas, and his daughters, Kimberly Roy and Cristi Roy, of Celina, Texas.

• Peter Roy and his wife, Cynthia Martin Roy, of Little Rock, Arkansas, and their children, Peter A. Roy and his partner, Taylor McClain, of Whidbey Island, Washington, and Matthew Edward Roy, of Little Rock, Arkansas.

• Andra Roy Chernack and her husband, Greg Chernack, along with their sons, Benjamin Edward

Roy Chernack and Andrew Elliott Roy Chernack, of Chevy Chase, Maryland.

She was preceded in death by her cherished daughter-in-law, Sandy Woodlan Roy.

Joan's life was one of service and dedication to her family, her faith, and her community. After graduating from Taunton High School in 1955, she began her career as a flight attendant with Eastern Air Lines in the fall of 1960, a job she was immensely proud of. In 1961, she married Normand and together they embarked on a journey that included raising four children, many poodles, and co-operating a thriving real estate business.

Normand and Joan were extremely active in the Catholic Diocese of Shreveport. First as members of Holy Rosary Catholic Church when their children were enrolled at Holy Rosary School, then of the St. Mary of the Pines Catholic Church, and finally of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Joan was a woman of faith and a devotee of Mariology and St. Anthony of Padua, the Saint who helps to find lost objects: everyday items, important documents, even faith itself. She was a member of the local Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, a religious service organization, whose mission is to help the disabled and disadvantaged while having fun and providing support to one another.

In 1978, Joan earned her real estate license and became a respected figure in the Shreveport-Bossier community. She held the designation of Graduate, Realtors Institute of Louisiana and in 1987 was elected President of the Women’s Council of Realtors, Shreveport-Bossier Chapter. The following year, she was honored as Realtor-Associate of the Year by the Shreveport-Bossier Board of Realtors. In recognition of her 40 years of valuable contributions to the real estate profession in Shreveport, Joan was named Realtor Emeritus in 2015.

Joan’s contributions extended beyond her professional life. She served on the Goodwill Industries Board of Directors from 2005 to 2011 and was an active participant in the Louisiana Realtors Association’s Political Action Committee. Throughout her life. she was committed to public service. In 1992 the Caddo Board of Election Supervisors appointed her as a Commissioner of Elections. After two years as a commissioner, she served as a Commissioner-in-Charge for numerous general and special elections for various precincts over the following 31 years. In 1999 the Louisiana Secretary of State appointed her as a Notary Public. Her commission remained active until her death.

Joan loved her children, grandchildren, and her friends dearly, and was deeply proud of her accomplishments, both personal and professional. She was a true example of a working mother, balancing her career in real estate with her dedication to her family, faith, and community. From organizing school and church events to supporting her children's extracurricular activities to inviting close friends to enjoy a glass of wine, Joan was always at the forefront, leading with grace and determination.

A Requiem Mass will be held on Saturday, August 3, at 11 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be accessible via live-stream at

https://www.seasshreveport.com/livestreams

https://www.youtube.com/@seasshreveport9646/streams

On Monday, August 12, the family will be sitting shiva at the Chernack home in Chevy Chase, Maryland beginning at 6 PM. All are welcome to join in these services as we remember and celebrate Joan’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Roy Family Scholarship Fund at Loyola College Prep in Shreveport, Louisiana.

The Roy family extends their deepest gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at The Carpenter House/St. Joseph Hospice, Willis-Knighton North SICU, Willis-Knighton Cancer Center, and especially Dr. Prakash Peddi and Rene Rains Palmer for their kindness, attentiveness, and empathy during Joan’s illness.

Joan’s life was a testament to the strength, love, and dedication of a woman who lived life fully, touched many lives, and left an indelible mark on all who knew her. She will be dearly missed and forever remembered.