Storke Funeral Home Obituaries

Joyce Ann Carter went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, quietly and quickly in her farm home.

Joyce grew up in Milford, VA along with her sister and two brothers. Known to be the sibling getting into things, you could always find a laugh or joke out of her quick-witted humor. With the love of music and a good dance, she found her lifelong partner and husband, Julian Carter, Jr.

Although her professional journey started as a hairdresser while raising her two kids, her passion came in the variety of every flower petal and living green she ever touched. For over 20 years, Joyce was the proprietor and proud designer of the local main street flower shop known as, Floral Designs by Joyce. She took immense pride that every stem was thoughtfully placed. She made herself available to the community in her floral funeral work, which she embraced personally. If you ever received a peony in the spring, it was likely grown in one of her many peony gardens.

Outside of her work, Joyce enjoyed cooking in every variety. She would often be found making dozens of quarts of soup or stew and handing it out to family and friends. Catering and her partnership into, The Tavern of Port Royal, were also inclusive to her list of business adventures. If you ever visited, an abundant meal was likely planned and served in a well-executed tablescape with stemware. She was a seafood lover especially. Local river blue crabs, flounder, and shrimp were among her favorite eats. A trip to Colonial Beach at a picnic table on the weekends were treasured moments during her time off.

But let’s get honest, her favorite title was MeMe. The role of grandmother filled her soul. Easter dress shopping turned into impromptu hat modeling, making and baking mischievous gingerbread people, and silly songs were often the chorus with the little ones. Spoiling her grandkids from popcorn, baked goodies, and cards every season were a regular cadence in how she demonstrated a daily expression of them in her thoughts.

Joyce was also a lifelong member of Antioch Christian Church and served as their Treasurer for 30 years. She often talked about the blessings that the church brought to her life. The small congregation of family and close relationships with pastoral clergy brought her true joy.

Joyce is preceded in death by her beloved mother, Laria Samuel Pitts. Her father, Otis Samuel, Sr. Her stepfather, Edward (Grandpa) Pitts. Her brother (gone too soon, Otis (Junior) Samuel, Jr. And the Dachshund ‘dog love of her life’, Bailey Carter.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Julian Roy Carter, Jr. Her son, Julian (J.R.) Carter, III. Her daughter, Lisa Carter Woodroof and husband John Woodroof. Her grandchildren, Julianne Isabella Woodroof and Donovan Bryce Woodroof. Her granddogs, Mabel Carter and Duchess Ann Woodroof. Her sister, Thelma Carneal. Her brother, Donald Samuel. Her lifelong best friends; Linda Martin and Barbara Schools.

The family will receive friends at the Bowling Green chapel of Storke Funeral Home on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 11:00am – 12:00pm. A funeral procession will then leave at noon for a graveside service at Wright’s Burying Ground in Ladysmith.

In lieu of flowers, a warm memory can be made via donation to Antioch Christian Church, PO Box 1112, Bowling Green, Virginia 22427.