Joyce Addington McLemore, 91, of Trussville, Alabama, passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Grandview Medical Center following a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ruby Addington, and her husband, James McLemore. She is survived by her children, James O. McLemore, Jr. and Jeanna McLemore Burns (Ronnie) and grandchildren Rebecca Burns Stephens (Mark); Jay Burns (Kaitlyn), Sarah Anne Burns, and 8 great-grandchildren; Brayden, Konner, Tucker, and Dalten Stephens; Clary, Felicity, Lucy, and Violet Burns.
Joyce graduated from Philips High School and entered Birmingham-Southern College on a music scholarship where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. At BSC, she was a member of the Concert Choir under the direction of Raymond Anderson. She studied voice with John and Martha Light who encouraged Joyce to pursue a musical career. She was in Starlight Opera, Music Theatre, the former Birmingham Opera, and at the Alabama Theatre with Stanley Malotte on the organ. During this time she sang such notable roles as Cio-Cio San from Madame Butterfly and was the soprano soloist for the former Birmingham Symphony performance of the Verdi Requiem. Joyce sang in several area church choirs as soprano soloist for many years beginning at St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands ending at First Christian Church downtown where she met her future husband. Joyce auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera Regional in Pittsburgh in 1965 becoming the first runner up. Deciding against a career outside of Birmingham, Joyce began her teaching career in the Tarrant City School Systems where she taught for over 27 years. At Tarrant she taught music, history, and ended her career as Guidance Counselor. Joyce obtained her Masters Degree and EDS from UAB.
Joyce was a former member of Rock United Methodist, Huffman United Methodist Church, and is a member of Trussville United Methodist Church. With the onset of Covid, Joyce was not able to attend regularly but when she was able, attended church at St. Luke’s Episcopal in Mountain Brook and Church of the Highlands, Fultondale Campus.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from Noon-2:00 PM at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel with a graveside service following at Forest Hill Cemetery at 2:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Music Performance Fund of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3736 Montrose Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35213.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutstrussvillechapel.com for the McLemore family.
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