Joyce was educated in the Raleigh County public School System earning a diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1973. After graduating from high school, Joyce relocated to Washington, DC to live with extended family members while seeking employment.
Joyce later met and wed the love of her life, Elrich Leroy Harper (deceased) in 1976. Three beautiful daughters were born from this union.
In 1991, Joyce enrolled at Prince George’s Community College, where she took paralegal classes.
Joyce was employed by Citizen Savings Bank as a Bank Teller for 5 years. In 1978, Joyce accepted an offer from Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) as a Procurement Consultant, working continuously for 32 years, and retired in 2011. Some of her accomplishments included: Contract Management Certification from the George Washington University in August 1977; General Public Procurement Certification from National Institute of Government Purchasing Certification in September 2001 and an Intermediate Public Procurement Certification from National Institute of Government Purchasing Certification in October 2001.
Joyce was a member of New Southern Rock Baptist Church in NW Washington, DC and occasionally attended Mt. Horeb Baptist Church in NE Washington, DC.
Joyce had a passionate love and devotion for her children and grandchildren. She was happiest in their presence especially during birthday celebrations. Joyce had a gift of helping people in need with sincerity. She would go out of her way to ensure everyone around her were pleased and satisfied. Joyce loved travelling frequently to Beckley, West Virginia to visit her parents and childhood friends. She had a talent for interior designing, often re-decorating her home and other residencies. Joyce was fascinated with herbal home remedies; believing natural foods were the best resources for the human body. She was a true “fashion-queen” never wearing the same outfit twice a year. Joyce loved to travel to North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Nevada and the Bahamas. Her favorite past times were cooking, reading, listening to music, dancing and gardening.
Joyce leaves behind her father, James E. Leftwich, Sr., three daughters, Carla Harper-Omisore (Tony), Cecelia Harper and April Wilson; Five grandchildren, Shiquan Harper, Celiyah Harper, Adeola Omisore, Logan Wilson and Sophia Omisore, One sister, Gloria Sawyers, Three brothers, James E. Leftwich, II (Tammy), Ralph C. Leftwich (Sharlea), Philip Leftwich (April), David B. Leftwich (deceased). Two aunts, Lois Washington and Marva Waller and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special long-time friends, Johnny Johnson, Wendy Whittington and Alan Clarke.
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