James Curtis Joyce

Curtis was a member of St. Andrews Baptist Church for 64 years. He was a Deacon for many years and Chairman of the Board of Deacons on several occasions. He taught Sunday school for over 20 years. Curtis was Chairman of the Church Building Committee multiple times, raising money for the Christian Activity Center, the Chapel, and educational buildings. On the church softball team, Curtis batted first and played a stellar second base specializing in turning double plays.

He is survived by his son, Jim (Linda) Joyce; daughter, Pam (Guy) Smith; son, Tom (Susan) Joyce; Donna Lee Curry (Carl) as well as 10 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

Curtis was predeceased by his wife, Jeanne Joyce and grandson, Curtis Van Alen Joyce.

He served in the Army Air Force near the end of World War II including occupying Dachau Concentration Camp. Curtis moved his family to Columbia, SC in January 1957. He was a manufacturer’s representative for Bassett Furniture Industries for forty years.

Curtis organized and helped establish the St. Andrews Little League baseball program in the early 1960s. For over twenty years, he coached teams where he influenced the lives of hundreds of young men. He also served as a Cub Scout Master for years and as a member of the St. Andrews Optimist Club.

The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at St. Andrews Baptist Church with interment to follow in Elmwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Andrews Baptist Church Audio-Visual Ministry, 230 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210 or to a charity of one’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Joyce family at www.elmwoodfhcolumbia.com.