On September 20, 2021, Joyce Ann Torney of Toms River, NJ, age 76, was gifted her wings and went to walk with the angels. She was born Joyce Ann McCauley to James and Aurelia McCauley on July 18, 1945, in Washington, DC. She was educated in the Washington DC school system, graduated from Eastern HS and went on to study at Washington Jr Music College where she majored in music and piano. She worked for Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company as a long-distance operator for several years. In June of 1965 she was united in holy matrimony and married her high school sweetheart Michael Dumas Torney. This union was blessed with three children.
At an early age, she professed her faith in Jesus Christ and joined Bible Way Church Worldwide, Washington, DC. In the early 1970’s, the couple her husband an ordained elder, migrated to New Jersey in answer to the call of ministry. The couple pastored a church in Neptune, NJ and resided in nearby Asbury Park. The couple would eventually birth a ministry, known as Evangelical Temple of the Apostolic Faith in Lakewood, NJ.
Joyce was involved in many facets of ministry, but she was unique, and had a true passion for outreach ministry. “First Lady” as she was affectionately known, impacted a host of ministries, including television, outreach, prison, and caring for widows to name a few. Her Christian ministry was as beautiful as the angels that adorned her home, as she was an avid collector. She touched countless lives over the years with her compassion, dedication to God, unstoppable determination and unshakable faith. Passing out prayer handkerchiefs was one of her favorite things to do to help spread the word of God. Many were beneficiaries of her labor of love and example of righteousness. First Lady Torney was known as a woman who lived her faith and served as an example to all who were blessed to know her.
She served faithfully as the First Lady of Evangelical Temple of the Apostolic Faith in Lakewood, NJ. She fought and won a 32-year battle with cancer until God called her from labor to reward. She was predeceased by her grandson, Trevor Martin and her brother James McCauley. Her life will forever be cherished in the lives of her devoted husband, Bishop Michael Torney, her three beautiful children and their spouses: Twayla and Michael Harris, Valdez and Shontel Torney and Dumas Torney and Helena Cocoros; grandchildren; Tyler Martin, Lendell Harris, Isaiah Torney, Dumas Torney (DJ), Jordan Torney, Pierre Harris, Dale Harris, Gia Torney and Godson, Derrick Vines. Her siblings Dorothy Lee, Preston McCauley, Barbara McCauley, Reginald McCauley, and Linda McCauley as well as a host of in laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends in Christ.
