LANCASTER, SC ~ Mrs. Judith (Judy) Ann Joyce, age 88, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2022. Judy was born July 7, 1934 to her parents, Reginald Lance and Elizabeth Ruth Embler in the family home in W. Islip, Long Island, NY. In 1941, her family moved to Erie, PA where her father obtained work at the GE Factory.

Judy came from a family of musicians, and she started piano lessons at age 7. At age 12 she was helping her father with their church's choir. During her high school years, she played the baritone sax in the band, the bass vile in the orchestra and sang alto in the chorus. She graduated from Lawrence Park HS in 1952 and moved to San Diego, CA in 1955.

In her late 20's she started playing the piano in church and continued to do so for over 60 years, choirs, soloists, groups, weddings, funerals, and she also directed small groups. She felt music was her gift from God and used it as much/often as she could. In 1968, she went to work for Allstate Ins. Co. in a secretarial position where she received many awards and worked up to the top of her position receiving the Chairman's Award, the highest award given at that time. She retired on March 23, 1990 and moved to Hemet, CA for her retirement years. She became a charter member of Hemet Valley Baptist Church in September 1990 where, among other commitments, she was the church pianist for over 18 years.

She married Richard Austin Joyce on April 22, 2006. They had a wonderful later life marriage which included traveling all around the US. He brought to their marriage four children, two girls, two boys, three grandchildren, and later three great-grandchildren.

Judy is survived by her husband, Richard; four sons, John (Jeanette) Davis, Jerry Davis, James Davis, and Jeffrey Davis; two half-sisters, Jeanne Crutchfield and Betty (George) Kourkounakis; five grandchildren, three great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Jane Regina Kupper; and her brother, Edward Lance Embler.

The Celebration of Life Service will be 1:00 pm Saturday, January 14, 2023, at White Springs Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 12:00 -1:00 pm, one hour prior to the service, in the church family life center.