Joyce Alexander

Life’s Journey for Mrs. Joyce Lea Harris Alexander

September 24, 1942 – September 12, 2025

“Yeppp, that’s me! You’re probably wondering how I ended up in this situation…”

I was born on Thursday, September 24th to my Mother, Ms. Willie Anna Harris in Prince George, VA. As story tells it, my brother, Kinney discovered us and was excited because as the oldest child with two sisters already, he thought he finally had a brother! Nope, it was me. I lived with my Mother and siblings for 5 years. Then one day, my Aunt Mae Harris Ellis and her Husband, Leslie Ellis took me home to live with them in Spring Grove, VA on the farm. Later in life, they would take in two of my other cousins, Janie and Michael. Even though farm life was hard, I had a good life with them. I attended Surry County Public Schools, graduating with the LP Jackson High School Class of 1960. My most memorable times were playing Guard with the “blacktop version” of the Lady Running Cougars Basketball Team. We were pretty good though, if I might say so myself. High school was also where I met and dated my future husband, Moses (Pierce) Alexander. Moses and I were married by Reverend Jonathan Thomas in his home. The ceremony was attended only by his cousin Lucille Ellis and Louis “Red” Harris on January 7th, 1961. We shared a humble existence with Moses working and me being a stay-at-home wife. Not too many months later, we found out we were expecting our first child, who was born in March of 1962. We had another daughter in July of 1963 then another daughter the following August in 1964. We began to think there would never be a son but lo and behold in July of 1969, we had that boy!!! Raising four children, while my husband worked as an Over The Road Long Distance Truck Driver was not always easy. After the children were a little older, I had several jobs-Housekeeper/Maid, Short Order/Line Cook, Stocker and other jobs that never compared to the life of stay-at-home mom, wife and my love of flower gardening. At the ripe old age of 40, I became a Grandmother. We were so excited to welcome our first Grand Daughter. Within the next ten years, there were five. I “baby sat” Victor (my “Man Man”-I gave him that name) and Keith while their Mom worked as well as being full time “Summer Grandma” to Vanessa, Markus and Lesley. As all Grandparents say, “we love our Children, but those Grandchildren hit different!” Moses and I loved, lived, endured and enjoyed, 41 years of marriage until his untimely death on February 16th, 2002. Hold on though, just when you think your Grandma love bucket is full, here come the Great Grandchildren!

On July 14th, 2014, I suffered a major stroke, but God!. The stroke was life altering, causing me to become a nursing home resident for the rest of my life. At this point I know you are wondering about my spiritual life because, that’s an important part of how we got here. I accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized and became a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church in Carsley, VA. When I married, I didn’t immediately find a church home but in May of 1996, I joined Ferguson Grove Baptist Church in Surry VA under the pastorship of Rev. James Douglas Charity, Jr. After the death of my husband, I felt the call to move my membership. In January of 2003, I became a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church in Suffolk VA where my Pastor is Rev. Glenn Lyttle, Sr. and Co-Pastor Carol E. Lyttle. To God Be The Glory!!! I was a part of several church auxiliaries at each church but always prided myself as being the BEST Pew Member they all had. I made it my business to try to attend all services, meetings, outings or whatever the ministries had planned.

I thanked God, often, for my wonderful life! At this time, being absent from the Body but present with the LORD, I leave treasured loved ones who I hope will speak of me often and cherish our memories together; my children, Yulanda Alexander, Yvette Alexander-Copeland, Rhonda Alexander and Leslie Alexander and his wife, Latonya; grandchildren, Vanessa Copeland-Ford and her husband, Jose, Victor Shivers, Keith Shivers and his fiancé, Megan Burks, Markus Copeland, Lesley James, Deon Johnson and Patia Lewis; great grandchildren, Chelsea, Joy’Anna, Emaree, Heaven, Kaleia, Isaac, Reece, Essah and Keiloni; brothers, Ivan McKinley Harris and his wife Vera, Michael Ellis and his wife Cheryl; sister, Evelyn Jones; God-Daughter, Jayla Sykes, a host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, Bonus Daughters, Friends, Neighbors and Church Families.

I was preceded in death by my husband of 41 years, Moses Alexander, my loving mother, Willie Anna Harris, my beloved Aunt and Uncle, Mae and Leslie Ellis, who raised me from age 5, my sisters, Mary Gibbs and Jane Harris, Mother in Law, Margaret Hill Alexander and brothers in law, James Alexander and John Lee Alexander along with a numerous amount of other relatives and friends.

On Friday, September 19, 2025, viewing will take place from 3-6pm at Shivers Funeral Chapel. At 11am on Saturday, September 20, 2025, a Celebration of Life Service will also be held at the Chapel.  Interment will follow the service at Mt. Ray Cemetery, Surry, VA Please keep the Alexander family in your prayers.