Joyce Stevens

Joyce Stevens was born on January 30, 1932 and gently left this life after 93 full years of living. She was blessed with boundless energy, blonde hair and a million-dollar smile. She loved family, dancing and “bling” at all times.

Joyce grew up and attended school in Gainesville, married when she was young and raised four hard headed sons and one sweet daughter in New Holland. She worked for years at the former Gamco (Gainesville Machine Company), ultimately becoming Shipping Manager, to provide for her children.  

Joyce discovered a love of dancing when she was four years old and never stopped, often entertaining ladies groups at New Holland with her tap dancing skills and fancy outfits. Second only to her love of dancing was her love of flowers. In her 50s, she had no formal business training, but took a risk, and opened Joyce Merck Florist where she worked to provide beautiful arrangements all over Gainesville. The florist business flourished and has been continuously operated by family for 42 years; after Joyce retired her daughter Despy Foley took over the shop, and today it is operated by two of her grandchildren Kelley Foley Henry and Joshua Foley.

In her early 60s Joyce began to enjoy retirement after raising her children and welcoming the grandchildren who had begun to arrive. She regularly hosted large and loud family gatherings, making sure everyone was well fed, with the crowd including her children, her nine grandchildren, their spouses and 18 great grandchildren. 

Throughout the years of raising her family, starting a successful business, and later entering retirement, Joyce still kept dancing with friends whenever she had the chance. One night she met the only man who had ever been able to keep up with her on the dance floor. Fred Stevens, a widower, knew when he first saw this beautiful blonde that he must ask her to dance. With the encouragement of his and her friends, they had their first dance. Only later did Joyce learn that Fred’s mother had been a Fred Astaire Studio Owner and dance instructor and there was no dance they could not conquer together. 

Fred and Joyce were married for nearly 30 years and danced their way through Gainesville and then through the Gulf Coast at Perdido Bay and Pensacola. They enjoyed playing golf, exploring the gulf in their cabin cruiser, traveling on cruise ships where they could dress up and hit the dance floor each night, and dancing with friends. 

After living several years in the Gulf Coast, Joyce and Fred decided to bring their boat back to Lake Lanier and moved to Hall County, at Deaton Creek Senior Community, to be closer to family. They attended all the activities at the Clubhouse and especially the dance events where they were known as “the dancers” by all their neighbors.

There was just no one else quite like Joyce, who was Grandmother to her grandchildren and Gigi to her great grandchildren. She was a loving parent and grandparent, always ready to engage in any activity, usually dressed in a special outfit with lots of sparkle, and always had a big smile and feet that were ready to dance. Family members were at her bedside during her last days as life slowed down. We will all miss her greatly. 

She was predeceased by her parents Estelle and William J. Daniel, her beloved daughter Despy Shuler Foley, and her brother Bob Daniel. She is survived by her husband Fred Stevens, children Jack (Ann) Shuler, Jim Shuler, Jerry (Heather) Shuler and Jody Shuler, and by her grandchildren Daniel Foley, Joshua (Bethany) Foley, Kelley (CJ) Henry, Haley (James) Hobson, Ellen (Mitch) Herron, Patrick Shuler, Cody (Anne) Shuler, Allison (Bart) Kimbrell, and Audrey (Trent) Brown, and by her 18 precious great grandchildren.  

Family will gather at noon for lunch at Memorial Park Main, 2030 Memorial Park Drive, Gainesville on Sunday, July 27th.  Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., followed by the Celebration of Life service.  Interment will be immediately following the service at Alta Vista Cemetery.

Joyce loved her bright colors, sparkle and bling. In light of her shining personality and the summer weather please help the family honor her life by wearing bright colors and any bling you may have.