Joyce Thomas Minor, 85, of Raleigh, N.C.

RALEIGH, N.C. » Joyce Thomas Minor was born in Camden, N.J., on Feb. 18, 1933 to Frederick James Thomas and Thelma Elizabeth Thomas.

She was raised in Lawnside, N.J., and graduated from Fisk University with a bachelors degree in PE (Physical Education) and Sociology. In college, she pledged Delta Sigma Theta. After graduation, she took a job as a Counselor at Wiltwyck School for Boys in Esopus, N.Y., which is where she met her husband Clarence L. Minor. She also worked as a counselor at St. Cabrini School in West Park, N.Y., but her longest and most fruitful work was at the YMCA in Kingston, N.Y., with the Youth Work Experience Program where she assisted many young people.

Joyce volunteered for many years at Holy Cross Episcopal Church as the Organist. She was also an avid bowler and enjoyed participating in tournaments at all levels (Local, State and National). She was also Treasurer and the Secretary of multiple Bowling leagues in the area. Going to the Casino was another great pleasure for her. She loved those “One Armed Bandits” as she would call them. Also, she used to love shopping for clothes, shoes etc. When she couldn’t go shopping physically because of her health, QVC was her choice of store. She would shop until she fell asleep at night.

Joyce was preceded in death by her brother, Frederick James Thomas, Jr., who passed away in 1996; and her mother, Thelma, who passed at the age of 48 years old. This age was significant to Joyce as she didn’t think she would live to be 85 years old.

Joyce is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, Clarence Lee Minor; her son, Michael Duane Minor, (Mireille Lue Chung Minor); granddaughters, Ca’lita Minor and Taisha Minor-Williams (Jermaine Williams); great-grandchildren, J’yuanna Allen, Phoenix Williams, and Londyn Williams; grandchildren, Kathleen Gauthier, Rachelle Gauthier, and Richard Gauthier; and great-grandchildren, Nicolas Miller, Joshua Miller, Noah Miller, and Mia Henderson.

Joyce died at home peacefully in the presence of her son, Michael, and his wife, Mireille, by her side in Raleigh, N.C.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc., 27 Smith Avenue, Kingston, N.Y. www. jvleahyfh.com Friends will be received at the funeral home on Saturday from 2 to 4p.m. Entombment Wiltwyck Mausoleum.