Joyce was born on July 31, 1942, to Henry Joseph DeSarzant and Lillian “Pearl” DeSarzant. She was preceded in death by her brother, Harold Joseph DeSarzant, two sisters Martha Whitfield and Lisbon Hunter, and her great-granddaughter, Elise Rose McQueen.
Joyce was devoted to her family and a loving mother to her children. The daughter of a gospel minister, “Mickey”, as she was affectionately known, was baptized and added to the church at a young age. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Parkway Village at 4400 Knight Arnold Road.
Joyce graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1960 and married William H. Dyer (deceased) of Woodstock, Virginia shortly thereafter. Joyce resided in Washington, D.C. when she became the first black woman to be employed by the telegraph company, Western Union. During her employment there, she had the pleasure of performing a singing telegram to singer/actress Eartha Kitt.
After returning to Memphis, Joyce was employed by the St. Louis Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank where she retired on January 1, 1995, as a Sr. Accounting Clerk. While employed at the Federal Reserve Bank, she attended Shelby State Community College. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling across the U.S. and abroad to visit her children and their families. Joyce loved to bake. Her friends and family most enjoyed her signature pound cake and coconut-pineapple cake.
Joyce will be remembered as a faithful Christian who raised her children to know the Lord. She will also be remembered for her kind heart, her love for laughter, and her compassionate spirit.
Cherishing precious memories of Joyce are 5 children: William Dyer of Memphis (Cheryl), Alesia McQueen of Memphis (Paul), Leif Dyer of Memphis (Veloria), Celeste Wheeler of Illinois (Gil), and Carlton Dyer of Memphis (Michelle), 20 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
An evening visitation for Joyce will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Family Funeral Care, 4925 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122. Her Celebration of Life service will take place, Thursday, June 1, 2023, 2:30 PM at Family Funeral Care.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FamilyFuneralMemphis.com for the Dyer family.
