Joyce Stephenson Johnson

Joyce Stephenson Johnson passed away peacefully at Saad’s Hospice in Mobile, AL on March 25, 2023, following a brief illness. She was born to Alvin Lee and Eva Harris Stephenson on April 26, 1926, in Graniteville, SC. At a young age, her family moved to Valdosta, GA where her father was an overseer at Strickland Cotton Mills in Remerton.
During WWII, the family moved to Brunswick GA, where several family members worked in the shipyard. Joyce worked there as a welder, also playing and starring on the lady’s basketball and softball teams. Joyce so distinguished herself in her work at the shipyard that she was selected by the shipyard owners to christen a warship that saw action in WWII. She always considered this a great honor. She, along with two of her sisters, also sang on the radio as part of their service during the war.
In 1942, the family returned to Valdosta where Joyce attended Valdosta High School and played basketball for Wright Bazemore. Following graduation, Joyce worked for Southern Bell Telephone Company until meeting and marrying John Turner Johnson.
Joyce and Turner adopted and raised three daughters, Becky, Joy and Joni. Joyce opened and operated Joyland Nursery School, where she educated numerous boys and girls from Valdosta, Moody Air Force Base and the surrounding area. She and Turner had five grandchildren and six great grandchildren, and she was happiest and most fulfilled when surrounded by them.
For the past two years Joyce has lived in Assisted Living in Mobile, AL, before succumbing to illness and decline in recent days.
Mrs. Johnson is preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Eva Stephenson, her husband Turner, her oldest daughter Becky Clements and seven brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her brother, Hugh Talmadge “Dizzy” Stephenson (Betty June) of Valdosta; daughters Joy Dorsett (Wayne) of Mobile, AL, and Joni Cole (Gordon) of Thomasville, GA; five grandchildren: Chelsea Clements, Erin Marcellino (Tony), Johnathan Cole, Daniel Dorsett, Brittany Starr (Matt); six great grandchildren: Turner, Zachary and Ashton Cole and Jenna, Harper and Eli Vaughn; and multiple nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in the chapel of Music Funeral Services, Valdosta, with burial to follow in Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Johnson’s son-in-law, Pastor Wayne Dorsett will be officiating the service. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Wayne Dorsett Ministries, 3710 Harvest Court, Mobile, Alabama 36695 www.waynedorsett.com . Kind words and expressions of sympathy can be left to the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com . The compassionate and caring staff of Music Funeral Services, Valdosta is serving the Johnson family.