Joyce W Holland

Joyce Gwendolyn Williams Holland , age 77, made her transition on Saturday , May 1, 2021 surrounded by her family at Christiana Care. She was b orn in Wilmington, Delaware on May 29, 1943 as the ninth child of the late Claudius T. and Gertrude Briscoe Williams. In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by three brothers, Claudius Williams, Jr., Welford Lewis Williams, and T he Honorable Leonard L. Williams, and one sister, Dorothy Williams Brown.

Joyce was formally educated in the Wilmington Public School System and graduated from Wil mington High School in 19 61. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the Leader Corps .

On September 5 , 1 958, there was a dance at Wilmington High School. In the middle of the gym floor stood a lovely young girl wearing a brown skirt and white blouse, across the gymnasium watching were Bobby Henderson and his friend John Holland. John immediately turned to Bobby and asked , “who is that girl ? ” Bobby quickly responded, “that’s Joyce Williams , she won’t talk to you.” John said, “she’ll talk to me . ” and the rest , as they say , is history. They were married on August 20, 1966, and from this union three children were born, Ira, Ivan and Tiffany.

Joyce attended Morgan State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. In 1963, as a freshman, she participated in student demonstrations protesting the segregation ist policies of the local Northwood Theater . For their efforts, the students were arrested and jailed . Fearful of contacting her mother, Joyce chose to remain in custody until her brother, the late Honorable Leonard L. Williams, was notified and paid her bail. On February 22, 1963, the Mayor of Baltimore announced that Northwood Theater would open its doors to African Americans.

Joyce began her teaching career at Charles B. Lore Elementary School . She transferred to Bayard Intermediate School , and went on to teach 4 th grade for the next 23 years. W hile working full-time and caring for her family, she earn ed a master’s degree in Education Administration from Antioch University. S he became an A ssistant P rincipal at McCullough Elementary School and then Prin cipal of Wilm ington Manor Elementary School .  She retired from the Colonial School District after 35 years of teaching. After a heartfelt conversation with Paul Loper , Joyce accepted the position of P rincipal at William Penn Elementary School in Chester, PA.  One of her crowning achievements of which she was most proud was raising test scores at William Penn Elementary. She shared her passion for learning with thousands of children over the years ; and b elieved that access to education combined with a t eacher that cared could change lives.

Those that knew Joyce would agree that she was committed to three things: her GOD, her family and education. She was a spiritual person who read the bible, and lived her faith. She gave each of h er sisters a prayer book with an inscription, “ R ead this faithfully every day, and your blessing s will truly continue, Love You Always , Your Sis .” J

After retirement, Joyce continued to stay busy volunteering for many years at Heartland Hospice . In addition, she enjoyed her sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. , and was elated to become a grandmother to four little girls who kept her on her toes. Joyce had a green thumb and loved taking care of her plants. She was a lso a great cook and enjoyed traveling the country with John.

J oyce was a caring mother and a devoted wife. She was love personified and will forever be missed by her family and friends. S he leaves to cherish her memory , her loving hus band of 55 years , John H. Holland;  two sons, Ira Holland (T.J.) , Ivan Holland ( Shawnte ) , and one daughter, Tiffany McAnany (Steven) ; four granddaughters, Kennedy, Cara, Klarke and Elle; twelve siblings: Eleano r Harris , Grace W. Martin, Richard Williams (Juanita), Shirley Brown Wilson, April Adams, Alphonso Williams (Rosalyn) , James Williams (Debra), Gilbert Williams (Joy), Carlton Williams, Carolyn Williams, Claudette Woodlen , and Gregory Williams (Tanya); an aunt, Rosa Brown;  two sisters-in-law, Alomah Pierson and Christine Loland(William) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday May 15, 2021 at 9:00 am Viewing, 8-9:00am at New Destiny Fellowship Church, 906 16th Street, Wilm., DE 19802. Interment, Gracelawn Memorial Park. State mandates all attendees wear masks.