Joyce Neva Wilson Chalmers, 94, of Columbus, Georgia, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026. Born December 10, 1931, in Wake Forest, North Carolina, she was the youngest of nine children born to James Parker Wilson and Katie Lee Penny Wilson.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Louis A. Chalmers Sr. (d. December 1, 2014); her son Andrew Shawn Chalmers (d. August 23, 1972); and her siblings—sisters Nollie Chalk, Lera O'Neal, Louise Turner, Flo Bailey, and Marguerite Carlton, and brothers Raymond Wilson, Almon Wilson, and Bland Wilson.
She is survived by her two sons, Louis A. Chalmers Jr. (Columbus, Georgia) and James (Jimmy) Chalmers (Marietta, Georgia); seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Joyce was a woman of deep faith throughout her entire Christian walk. She was a voracious reader of Scripture, a Bible study leader, and an active member of local churches wherever she lived—from Durham to Oxford to Columbus. She was known for her constant prayer, her faithful witness, and her invitation for everyone to know Jesus.
In August 1972, Joyce lost her youngest son, Andrew Shawn. Rather than let grief silence her, she transformed it into purpose. As a certified speaker for Stonecroft Ministries beginning in 1976, she traveled the East Coast and Midwest sharing how God restored her broken heart. Her life message: Absent from the body, present with the Lord.
Joyce was the grandmother every grandchild hopes for—one who loved deeply, prayed constantly, and made you feel like the most important person in the world. Her kitchen was a sanctuary, her prayers a shield, and her love their foundation.
Known for her exceptional cooking—legendary oven-barbecued pork chops, green beans, and biscuits—Joyce was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. She crocheted constantly, creating blankets and gifts that still warm those who treasure them.
Those who knew her remember her sharp wit, fierce love when defending her own, and her unwavering faith. She lived what she believed.
A memorial service for Joyce will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM in the Wildwood Room at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd. Columbus, Georgia, 31907.
Another memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at Clements Funeral Home,1105 Broad St., Durham, North Carolina, 27705.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to two charities that Joyce supported throughout her life with her time and financial resources, www.help4haiti.org and Stone Croft Ministries.
