Joyce Davis Gulledge

Joyce Davis Gulledge, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Wednesday, January 18, 2023. She was 67 years old. Joyce was born on July 19, 1955 in Dahlonega, GA to the late Archie Lee Davis Sr. and Carrie Mae Beck. She spent her early childhood years in Georgia with her family, after which time they relocated to the Lakewood/Hoskins area of Charlotte. Known for walking everywhere she went as a teenager, Joyce met the love of her life, Jerry Lee Gulledge, one day when he drove by her and stopped to offer her a ride. The two were married in 1977 in York, SC, and they went on to share three children together. Innately organized and neat, Joyce was a devoted homemaker for most of her life. She woke up every morning at 5:00am, and if the weather was warm, she delighted in sitting on her porch, drinking coffee, and talking to her sisters on the phone. She also loved tending to her yard, especially by spending time in the garden and planting flowers. She really enjoyed the simple things that made a house a home. A devoted mom and instinctive caretaker, Joyce cooked every meal that the family ate. If someone was enjoying a meal she cooked, she wouldn’t dare let them get up from their chair to get something - she always made sure everyone had everything they needed. While everything she made was always a huge hit, some favorites included chicken casserole, lemon pound cake, chicken, and dressing. Food was how she showed love, and she was so good at it. Sweet and spirited, Joyce was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, and she will be missed beyond measure. Those left to honor Joyce’s memory include her beloved husband of 46 years, Jerry Lee Gulledge Sr.; daughters, Angel Gulledge and April Maston (Chris); grandchildren, Cameron Tench, Tyler Maston, Tanner Maston, Blaine Colson, Kolby Colson, Brandon Maston, Makayla McKinzie, Justin Maston, and Hailey Maston; and siblings, Shirley Phillips, Betty Simerly (Gary), Charles Davis (Gail), Jim Davis, and Janice Miller (Robert); as well as many other loving family members and friends. Joyce has been reunited in Heaven with her parents; son, Jerry Gulledge Jr.; and siblings, James Davis, Helen Pryor, and Archie Davis Jr. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 12:00pm until 1:00pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at Forest Lawn West Funeral Home, 4601 Freedom Drive in Charlotte. The funeral service is to be conducted at 1:00pm, immediately following the visitation, in the Paul Helton Chapel at the funeral home. The burial will follow at Forest Lawn West Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce’s memory to Mothers of Murdered Offspring.