Joyce Taylor Mendenhall Lewis, 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22, 2019, at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Greenville on Sunday, May 5, 2019, at 3 p.m. The family will receive friends following the service.

Joyce was born to Essie Taylor Mendenhall and Pete Mendenhall on Aug. 19, 1933, in Bear Grass. She attended East Carolina College in Greenville. Following her education, she was employed by Nationwide Insurance in Raleigh. While living in Raleigh, she met and married Ted Lewis, and they were in the military, often traveling, for many years. She spent her married life as a homemaker and mother. The marriage came to an end after 36 years, and in 1991 she moved to Greenville and became an administrative secretary with the Brody School of Medicine until her retirement. She remained in Greenville for the rest of her years.

Joyce was active in many churches during her travels, serving as a teacher, Circle Leader, Sunday School Class President and Elder and was currently a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Greenville.

She enjoyed gardening, painting and traveling, but most of all she loved being with her family and her Shih Tzu, Amy. She cherished every moment that she spent with her children and granddaughter

Joyce often said that she has been so blessed in this life to have experienced other countries, met so many interesting people, had such a wonderful family and made so many dear friends.  She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her sister, Martha Peele, of Williamston, and her cousin, Mary Lib Wynne, of Williamston, whom she loved as a sister.

Joyce is survived by her: three sons, Jeff Lewis and life partner Joan Kutulas, of Southern Shores, Derek Lewis and wife Susan, of Raleigh, and Vince Lewis and wife Carolyn, of Durham; one granddaughter, Sarah Lewis Moore and husband Zane, of Washington; two step-granddaughters, Ashleigh Crawford, of Raleigh, and Jennifer McCurdy and husband Anthony, of Kinston; one step-great-grandson, Mason McCurdy; and her beloved sister, Dorothy Whichard, of Martin County.

Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home and Crematory.

Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.