MRS. MARY JOYCE BURCH LEE, age 64, of Chauncey, GA, died Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at her residence.
MRS. MARY JOYCE BURCH LEE, age 64, of Chauncey, GA, died Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at her residence.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00AM, Friday, February 14, in Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Troy Horne officiating, with interment in Chauncey City Cemetery.
Joyce was born in Eastman, GA on June 25, 1960. She attended Dodge County High School, and later worked for Roydenwear in Dublin, GA for several years, before going to work for Wal-Mart in Eastman, GA, where she was a charter associate. She held many positions with Wal-Mart over the years and was a valued part of the management team. In 2014, she hung up her Wal-Mart vest and retired after more than 25 years with Wal-Mart and working in stores in Eastman, Dublin, Baxley, and Douglas. Joyce was a Christian lady who loved her Lord and Savior. She was a member of Beacon Church of God in Eastman and was a dedicated wife and a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She loved her family dearly, enjoyed all the time she was able to care for them, and was affectionately known as “Nana” and “Granny” to her grandchildren. She loved being outdoors, fishing, hunting, gardening, tending to her flowers, and her canine companions, Dutchess and Lacey. She loved music, especially gospel music, played bass guitar for many years, and sang in the family group, The Georgia Ramblers. Joyce was the daughter of the late Minnie Retha Williams Burch and Freeman A. Burch, and was preceded in death by her Siblings, Sally Roberson, Veatrice Smith, Albert Burch, Junior Burch, and Roy Burch.
She is survived by her Husband of 41 years – Junior Lee of Chauncey, GA; Children – Ricky Yawn (Michelle) of Eastman, GA, A.J. Yawn (Georgeann) of Greenville, SC, Bryan Lee (Sandra) of Savannah, GA, and Bridgett Lee Gay (David) of Gresston; Grandchildren – Drew Yawn, Josh Yawn, Aden Yawn, Nealee Weldon, Lily Weldon, Brynleigh Yawn, Casey Lee, Brittany Lee, June Marie Clements, Seab Attaway, and Zach Attaway; Sisters – Retha Martin (Larry) of Gresston and Laverne Allen (Junior) of Chauncey, GA; Brothers – James Burch (Lisa) of Chauncey, GA and Dan Burch (Mary) of Morganton, GA; Sisters-in-law and Brothers-in-law – Ronnie Lee, Betty Ryals (Frank), Earlene Rowe (Loyd), and Patsy Rowland (Jimmy); Numerous nieces and nephews.
The family may be contacted at the Lee residence, 293 N. Railroad Avenue, Chauncey, GA, and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 9:00AM-10:00AM, Friday February 14. In addition to flowers, the family request contributions to Beacon Church of God, 830 Soperton Hwy., Eastman, GA 31023.
Locally owned and operated, Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, has been "A Tradition of Trust" to Eastman, Dodge County and Middle Georgia for over 65 years.