Joyce Marie George King

Joyce Marie George King was born in Lakewood, New Jersey on January 6, 1940, to the late Reverend John Alexander and Lessie George. She departed this life on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at home in Wilmington, Delaware.

The youngest of thirteen children, Joyce grew up in Lakewood, New Jersey. She enjoyed studying Spanish in both junior high and high school. She graduated from Lakewood High School in 1957. Joyce would go on to attend Delaware State College in Dover, Delaware. While a student at Delaware State, she became a charter member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated Epsilon Rho Zeta Chapter in 1961. She graduated from Delaware State in 1963.  After graduation, Joyce moved to New York and worked with children at Abbott House. There she met Robert King. Joyce and Robert married in 1969 in the Bronx and then relocated to Wilmington, Delaware.

Upon moving to Wilmington, Delaware, Joyce continued her vocation and served children and families as a case manager with the Delaware Family Court from 1970 to 1981.  While working for the Family Court, she also earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania.  As a social worker, Joyce would continue her service in the court system, in prisons, and later join the Medical Center of Delaware and Christiana Care. As a social worker with the Medical Center and Christiana Care she provided services and developed programming for cancer and dialysis patients and their families. Joyce retired from Christiana Care in 2002.

Joyce’s life was enriched by a community of friends and family of faith that she met at Bethel AME Church in 1980. While a member at Bethel, she would serve as a member of the Lay Society, 25 years on Steward Board II, the Marriage Ministry and provided active support with the Hour of Power.  She also volunteered with Beautiful Gate, Zeta Phi Beta sorority incorporated, and Twigs.  In her free time, Joyce read, spent time with family, and celebrate with close friends particularly during her yearly birthday parties in her 70s and 80s.

Joyce was predeceased by her parents Reverend John Alexander George, Lessie George, Brothers Booker George, John Edward (Eddie) George, Arthur George, Harold George, Robert George, Sisters: Jessie George, Edna Cawthorne, Carol Sutton, Naomi Barnes, Dorse Bolson, Ruth Douglas, and Estelle Shockley.

Joyce leaves to cherish her memory her husband Robert King, daughter Tiffany King, nieces Toni George, Millicent Brown, Atim George, Opal Isom, Inez Canty, Tharyl Cawthorne, Doris Overton, Elvira George, Doris Owens, nephews Anthony Sutton, Harold George, Brantley Douglass, John Brown, Donald George, David Barnes, Douglas Owens, Darnell Owens, Dave Owens, Marco George, her godson Lee Roy DeShazor, goddaughter Alonda Parson-Tann, and many many cherished friends.

Celebration of her life will take place on Thursday May 5, 2022, Bethel AME Church, 604 N. Walnut Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. Viewing 9-10:45 am, service 11:00 am. Masks required.

Live stream: www.Facebook.com/BellFuneralHomeDE