Joyce’s Obituary Joyce Wheeler Harrell age 87 of Burgaw, passed peacefully from the earthly life surrounded by her loving family Monday April 29, 2019 at Pender Skilled Nursing. On a summer day, July 31, 1931 Joyce Ferris Wheeler was born in Walla Walla, Washington to Yvonetta Parks Wheeler and Dave Ferris. She was a wife to Tyson Harrell, mother to 4 children and 2 foster children, community volunteer, and a Town of Burgaw champion.
She went to a place of peace, free of illness on a bright spring day, April 29, 2019. The years between those dates were filled with a full life. Joyce lived in both Washington State and California growing up.
She was an eager student who loved learning which continued throughout her life. She attended community college and the University of California Berkley. She worked for the U.S. Forest Service where she met her husband Tyson Harrell.
Together they created a life moving to many National Forests throughout the state of California. Joyce was an educational specialist for her career. However, her true vocation was her volunteer activities in any community in which they lived.
She received the Citizen of the Year along with Tyson in Susanville, California. No matter where they lived, the Town of Burgaw, North Carolina was always in their hearts. Upon retirement Joyce and Tyson moved to Burgaw where they became involved in the community.
She began volunteering in protesting the Thermochem movement. She volunteered for the Republican Party and the Pender County Board of Elections. She was President of the Pender County Arts Council for 22 years.
She enjoyed serving on the Pender Springfest committee, the Blueberry Festival committee, scorekeeping in Burgaw Little League, and was an active member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. She was also involved in the Pender County Historical Society where she volunteered at the Pender County History Museum and was instrumental in beginning the Christmas House Tour. For all these efforts she was awarded the Governors’ Award for Volunteering for the State of North Carolina.
Many people would see her walking and visiting all over Burgaw. She was predeceased by her husband Tyson Harrell and brother John Wheeler. She is survived by a daughter, Paige Bivens and husband Jonathan of Wake Forest; three sons, Bradford Harrell and wife Tresa of Morganton, Ross Tyson Harrell of Burgaw, and Andrew Harrell of Morganton; five grandchildren, Nicole Howard, Jeremy Harrell, Caitlin Harrell, Heather Smith, and Preston Harrell; nine great grandchildren; two brothers, Stanley Wheeler of Palm Desert CA, and James R. Wheeler and wife Teresa of Eureka CA; two sisters, Bonnie Rogers of Dublin CA, and Shelda Wheeler of Reno NV; special cousins, Gabriel Joseph, Zana Hodge and Victoria Teal; and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Friday May 3, 2019 at Burgaw Cemetery. Father Chris Hanby will officiate and burial will follow.
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