Joy Alice Brown

Dr. Joy Johnson Brown, 81, passed away January 22, 2025 in Greensboro, NC. Joy was born in Elmhurst, Illinois on November 27, 1943 to Rayberta Townsend and Edwin Johnson. She is preceded in death by her daughter Laurie Rae Anderson.

Higher education was one of Joy's proudest achievements. She received her B.S. from Rutgers (1977), M.S. from Columbia (1982) and her PhD, in Organizational Management and Workforce Diversity from Walden University (1995).

Joy worked in the Computer Hardware/Software and IT consulting industry for over 35 years. She worked from 1987 to 2012 for Hewlett Packard in Rockville, Maryland, where she last served as the Engineering Manager for the Storage sector. As a woman in the tech industry she shattered many glass ceilings and with her commitment to diversity in hiring, believed in pulling others up with her.

After her retirement, Joy threw her same passion and commitment into volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro. Joy served as Chair of Development for two years and served on the board for five, receiving the Spirit of Philanthropy Award in 2018. Joy served by sharing both her time and financial resources; attending meetings and events, soliciting donations, and sponsoring multiple Habitat Greensboro homes in memory of family members.

Joy's thoughtful and generous spirit were among her most respected qualities. Her Family, friends and community could always count on her for support in all matters large and small. Joy was an avid world traveler. She loved to spend hours planning to ensure every excursion and meal would be the most memorable. Family and friends benefited from this meticulousness by exposure to many new and exciting experiences.

As the keeper of family, she was the most important champion to her grandchildren Ashley Rae Anderson (wife Tiffany Anderson) and Ryan Paul Anderson, and a proud great grandmother to Wilder Anderson and Beckham Anderson. She was the second of four children, survived by Sandra Conrad and Ronn Johnson, preceded by Janelle Johnson. All nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, steps and in-laws were treated with just as much care and devotion. "There they are"

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Habitat for Humanity.

At Joy's request, there will be no service at this time. A Celebration of Life will be commemorated in 2026.

The family is being assisted by Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services of Greensboro during this time.