Robert Taylor Joyce

Bob, as every one of his friends called him, was born April 3, 1936 in Greenville, MS, the son of the late Richard and Rubye Joyce. He grew up immersed in the rich literary tradition of the Mississippi Delta, an experience that followed him throughout his life.

Bob joined the US Air Force after high school and was stationed in England. There, he spent his days on duty sitting in a small trailer in the countryside, intercepting and translating Russian radio transmissions. In his spare time, he terrorized local drivers from behind the wheel of his roommate’s Austin Healey sports car. The two of them were a fixture at a local racetrack, where Bob drove and his roommate turned wrenches.

Following his service, Bob enrolled at Ole Miss in Oxford, MS where he met Betty Reifers. He fell in love with her at first sight, and they soon married. As students at Ole Miss, Bob and Betty witnessed the integration of the university and the unrest that followed. Those years shaped his wish to see the world become a more just place for everyone.

After graduating from Ole Miss with a degree in engineering, Bob and Betty moved to Knoxville, where Bob took a job with the TVA and they raised three children. He worked at the TVA in a number of roles until his retirement.

Bob lived a full, adventurous life. He traveled throughout the US, Europe, Africa, and South America, and documented those travels in photographs that brought his experiences to life. He loved exploring the countryside in his ’65 Porsche. And he was a gourmand who enjoyed fine food from around the world and, even more, Betty’s cooking.

Later in life, when he was no longer able to travel, Bob remained a voracious learner, a writer, and a devoted fan of the Atlanta Braves. In his final days, he shared that he had no regrets and only wished he could live the same life over again, with Betty by his side.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Frances Oakes.

He is survived by his loving wife, Betty; son Ian (Jill) of Plattsburgh, NY, and daughters Chris (David) and Erica (Marc) of Knoxville, TN; sisters Patsy Parini of Grand Rapids, MI and Charlotte Denis of Jackson, MS; four grandsons, Joshua, Elijah, Matthew (Shelby), and Benjamin; and many family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

Visitation will be held at Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church, 7753 Oak Ridge Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37931 on June 14, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, followed by the Funeral Service at the same location on June 14, 2026, at 3:00 pm.

A Committal Service will take place at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920 on June 15, 2026, at 8:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church at https://www.beaverridgeumc.org/.