Joyce Ann Cockrille

Joyce Ann Cockrille was born on January 3, 1944, in Washington, D.C., to Frederick Marvin Crabtree and Ann Ruth Crabtree.

Joyce was a dedicated employee of James Madison High School, where she faithfully served for over 22 years. She was actively involved in her church and was an avid follower of Jesus Christ, deeply devoted to her faith, friends, and family.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick Marvin Crabtree, Sr., and Ann Ruth Crabtree, as well as her beloved brother, Frederick “Ricky” Marvin Crabtree, Jr.

She is survived by her children: Daniel Cockrille, Jan Wray (Brian), and Sherry Feltner (Charlie); her grandchildren: Jennifer Mullins (Jamie), Amanda Beavers, Renee Beavers (Edward), Allan Cockrille, Alyssa Cockrille, Hailey Beavers (Trevor) and Tyler Wray; her five great-grandchildren: Brandon, Hannah, Emmett, Cora, and Preston; as well as her sister-in-law, Shary Crabtree, and her nieces and nephews, Jamie, Kim, and Karen.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The family of Joyce wishes to extend its sincere thanks to Maylath Home and Health, especially nurses Anne-Marie and Jackie, as well as the many doctors, nurses, counselors, friends and loved ones who provided companionship, love, and exceptional compassionate care to Joyce.

Funeral services will take place at National Memorial Park, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042, with the date and time to be announced. Arrangements are entrusted to National Funeral Home, Falls Church, Virginia.

Eulogy for Joyce

Thank you all for being here today to honor and remember my grandmother, Joyce.

It’s hard to fully describe who my grandmother was, because she was truly a little bit of everything. She was very loving, but also strict at times. She was soft-spoken, yet incredibly strong, and when she found something amusing, her chuckle or laugh was something I will cherish forever.

One thing that mattered most to my grandmother from the very beginning was family. Joyce started a family early, having a son and two daughters, and she took great pride in her children and in the family they built together. Even through life’s changes, there was always a deep respect and care that remained, along with a shared commitment to family and to showing up for one another. That foundation of love carried through every stage of her life.

Joyce was the kind of woman who understood responsibility, loyalty, and perseverance. Those qualities shaped the way she loved, the way she worked, and the way she cared for the people around her.

Some of my earliest memories include my grandmother coming to my birthday parties when I was little, back when we lived in a townhouse. And every year, without fail, we went to her house for Christmas, because Christmas was my grandmother’s favorite holiday. You could truly see the enjoyment she had when all of us were gathered together in one room.

She made Christmas special in simple, meaningful ways. Every grandchild had a stocking filled with treats, and there was always at least one orange tucked inside. It may seem like a small detail, but it’s one of those traditions that stays with you, a quiet reminder of warmth, care, and the way she loved.

As we all grew older and found our own way in life, one thing that always remained important to my grandmother was togetherness. She made sure monthly family lunches were planned, and she genuinely looked forward to them. Being together mattered to her. Family mattered to her.

She spent many years caring for others. She babysat my cousins when they were young, helped family whenever she could, and later in life dedicated time and love to caring for her parents, Frederick and Anne, whom she was extremely close to. She worked and lived within a very short distance of them for most of her adult life and was a big part of their care when they needed it most.

My grandmother loved simple joys. She loved a good movie and enjoyed gathering around the TV. She especially loved Shirley Temple movies, I Love Lucy, and the show Mr. Ed, which always made her laugh. She also had a deep love for horses, something you could see throughout her home in paintings, pictures, pillows, and blankets. Horses brought her comfort and joy and reflected her gentle but strong spirit.

She also loved a good action movie and lit up whenever she saw Chuck Norris. She watched all of his movies and enjoyed sharing those moments with anyone who was watching with her.

My grandmother also loved wrestling. She was a huge John Cena fan. She knew the arguments and fights were just for dramatic effect, but she got such a kick out of it. And if anyone dared stand up to or go against John Cena, my grandmother would absolutely let you know how she felt, sometimes with a pointed finger, sometimes with a look, and sometimes with one of her very Joyce phrases: “You dirty dog” or “you little rat.” It always made us smile.

She also loved playing cards. There was a time when my grandmother was in the hospital and we didn’t know if she was going to make it. I remember praying for more time, not for anything big, but for the little things: watching wrestling together, spending time side by side, and playing cards.

When God worked a miracle and gave us more time with her, I found myself cherishing moments like simply watching her shuffle a deck of cards, carefully laying out her sets, and once again beating everyone at the table in Rummy for what felt like the millionth time. Looking back now, I realize how much it truly is the little things that matter most.

My grandmother was an extremely hard worker. She dedicated years of her life to her job and took pride in everything she did. One story she often told was about a teacher who said she didn’t need to worry about cleaning a classroom too well because it would just get dirty again that night. But my grandmother cleaned it anyway, because doing things with care mattered to her, even when no one was watching.

Later in life, my grandmother found companionship and love with her significant other, Sylvester. Although many of us didn’t get the chance to know him well, I know how deeply she loved him and how much comfort he brought into her life. One of my favorite stories she told was about the day she went to take the trash out at work. Sylvester offered to help, but my grandmother, determined as ever, went ahead on her own. The dumpster was full, she climbed inside to push the trash down, and promptly got herself stuck. With no way out, she had to wait until Sylvester came to rescue her. The laughter that followed became one of her favorite stories to tell and perfectly captured her independent spirit.

Faith was one of the most important parts of my grandmother’s life. She loved Jesus Christ deeply and lived her life as a follower of Him. Every year, without fail, she sent me a birthday card, always signed with love and a message about how much Jesus loved and cared for me, along with a small gift. As an adult, I now realize how much effort that took. Somehow, my grandmother never missed. My birthday card always arrived early or right on time, never late.

She also loved music. Elvis was a favorite of hers, and she enjoyed many artists and songs throughout her life. In her later years, one song in particular meant a great deal to her: He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother. She would ask to hear it again and again, and it became a source of comfort. She also loved the song Sherry by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, a song that later inspired the name of her daughter.

My grandmother was also very aware of time. She always knew what time it was. And trust me, if you showed up late here today, she knows. Even now, when I adjust my own stopwatch, I think of her.

My grandmother lived her life with a deep trust in the Lord. Her faith was not just something she spoke about; it was something she lived out daily through her perseverance, her care for others, and her love for family. She believed that even in difficult seasons, she was never walking alone. Psalm 23 reminds us that the Lord is our Shepherd, guiding us, protecting us, and carrying us through the valleys of life. Today, we find peace knowing that she is no longer walking through those valleys, but is resting safely in the presence of her Shepherd.

Joyce was also a very private person. She carried many things quietly and faced battles on her own. She was a breast cancer survivor, something she fought and overcame before even sharing it with her family. Later, she lovingly brought the women in our family together to make sure we understood the importance of being proactive and taking care of ourselves. That was who she was: strong, protective, and always thinking of others, even in her hardest moments.

My grandmother faced hardships in her life, but she never gave up. Because she stayed the course God set before her, generations followed: her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. One thing that mattered deeply to her was that we were believers and that we had a love for Jesus Christ. She shared that faith intentionally, even gifting Bibles and reminding us of what mattered most.

She also shared a special bond with her dear friend Karen, who was a fellow believer and a big part of her life. It brings comfort knowing that she is now reunited with Karen, with her brother Ricky, with Sylvester, with her parents, and with her Heavenly Father.

There’s a phrase my grandmother was famous for. And if you knew her well, you’ll know exactly what I’m about to say.

When our family went to visit the place where she will be laid to rest, alongside her parents, we were told that the beautiful tree that once stood there—the reason her father chose that spot—had been struck by lightning and had to be taken down years ago. As those words rolled off the director’s tongue, I heard my grandmother’s voice clear as day in my head:

I never.

It was her response to life, whether she was amused, surprised, or making her opinion very clear. And even in that moment, it reminded me that she is still very much with us.

In the end, what I will remember most is not one single moment, but the love behind all the little things: the stockings, the cards, the laughter, the music, the prayers, and the togetherness. My grandmother showed us that love is intentional, faith is lived out daily, and family is always worth showing up for again and again.

Grandma, thank you for loving us the way you did.

We will carry you with us always.