Joyce Pearl Sheppard (Stewart), was born February 16, 1944, in Cedarville, New Jersey to the late Olive W. (Smith) and Watson C. Stewart. She transitioned at home on July 12, 2024, singing her favorite song: "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired" ready to meet her Savior and soon coming King.

She was educated in the Bridgeton Public School system and received her GED. Joyce attended Cumberland County College and received a career certificate in computer information systems. Working hard at Prudential Insurance Company in Millville, NJ, she demonstrated her diligence as an employee. She leaves behind a legacy of excellence in her role as a Customer Service Supervisor at Security Savings and Loans Bank. In 2009, Joyce, affectionately known as "The Insurance Lady", retired as the top sales producer at United Insurance Company. She loved her clients and went beyond the assigned tasks to care for those she served. Her clients often became family.

Joyce was a faithful member of John Wesley United Methodist Church. She served on the Usher Board, Finance Committee, Willing Workers, Communion Stewards and Vacation Bible School.

Joyce had a sharp eye for fashion, always embodying style and elegance. She was just as bossy as she was classy. She would walk in her children's homes and declare that she was the "HNIC." Holding tight reigns on her children, she was their master teacher through her example. She lived by the motto: "Love is an action word." Joyce had the skill of taking a little and making it a lot.

She loved to cook and could be found in her kitchen making fried potatoes with onions, delicious cheesecakes or her famous chicken salad.

Joyce leaves to cherish her memory, six children; Vicky B. Gross of Millville, NJ, Sherry Stewart of Fairburn, GA, Lawrence Wright, Jr., of New Orleans, LA, Lisa K. Wright, of Bridgeton, NJ, Yolanda Ann Martin, of Voorhees, NJ, and Novella C. (Donald J, Jr.) Price, of Willingboro, NJ, thirteen grandchildren; Dontray Crawford, Scherrie Young, Louis Stewart, LaToya Wright, Marquia (Jason) Jones, Joyce (Barry) Engram, Jarmay Wright, Jarmaz Wright, Phillip Jarmon, Jr., Michael Price, Zhoe Martin, Zalen Martin, and Zhuri Martin, fifteen great-grandchildren, one brother Leon Lionel (John Ridge) Stewart, a sister-in-law, Brenda McLaughlin Stewart, brother-in-law, Vaughn C. Doss, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Joyce was predeceased by her husband Major A. Sheppard, parents, Olive W. (Smith) and Watson C. Stewart, a son Charles Stewart, son-in-law Thomas E. Gross, four siblings, Brenda Stewart, Leonard Stewart, Watson Stewart, and Olive Doss.

Humbly Submitted, The Family