Joyce B. Hamilton

In a quiet section of Wilson County, North Carolina, a beautiful bouncing baby girl was born on the 13th day of March 1939, to Turner and Chessie Batts, and they named her Joyce Elmarie. She started her education at Frederick Douglass High School in Elm City, North Carolina. The fall of 1957, Joyce entered North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education in 1962 with a minor in Education. In 1967 Joyce received her second B S Degree in Elementary Education from Norfolk State University. In 1963, Josiah and Joyce were married in her hometown in North Carolina. At that time, Joyce moved to Portsmouth, VA and begun her teaching career in 1967 and retired from the Portsmouth School System in 1995. Joyce was a member of the NCCU Alumni Association, NAACP, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and the Sharon Missionary Baptist Association. Deaconess Hamilton began worshipping with her husband at Poplar Run Baptist Church in 1993. After serving and working for several years, she became a member of the Poplar Run Family. During her membership, she held several positions. She was Sunday School Superintendent, Church Clerk, Financial Secretary and Acting Treasurer. For more than 20 years, Deaconess Hamilton served as President for several organizations including the Deaconess Board, Missionary Society, Pastors Aid Society, and the Pulpit Committee. Her work did not stop there. Throughout her service at Poplar Run, she headed Vacation Bible School for many years, hosted Family and Friends Day for twenty-five years. She was a member of the Beautification Club, Historical Committees and she chaired many fundraising activities. Joyce’s legacy, love and honor will be carried on by her son, Josiah Hamilton, Jr. (Tyreese), a special son, Thomas Clark (Patrice), Goddaughter, Trulinda Britt, Church Daughter, Michelle Williams, three grandchildren, Rhyan Johnson, Samuel Clark and Josiah Hamilton, III, one great-granddaughter, Rylan Talley, one brother, James A. Batts(Lois) of Elm City N.C., two nephews, Samuel Hussey(Margaret) and Gregory Sawyer(Hope), one niece, Lavern Paige, other great nieces, great nephews, relatives, good neighbors and friends

Joyce B. Hamilton

March 13, 1939 - May 3, 2023