Mrs. Joyce Fouts Evans, age 92 of Ellijay, passed away on Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 at her residence.

Mrs. Evans was born on October 5th, 1929 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to the late Almarine and Allie Norton Fouts.

Joyce was a graduate of Ellijay High School, class of 1947. In October of that same year, she married Cecil James Evans, and 10 years later, their first and only son, Tommy, was born. Joyce and Cecil were married for 65 years until his passing in February of 2013.

Joyce worked for J & C Carpets, which later became Universal Carpets, for 35 years. After her time at Universal, Joyce moved into a career in the banking industry with First National Bank, now known as Regions Bank. Joyce formally retired in 2004.

Joyce was intelligent; she loved to read, and was committed to making the most of her abilities. She was a loyal friend and enjoyed spending time with her "walking buddies" who she said goodbye to, one by one, over the years. But, more than her accomplishments and her earthly friendships, Joyce loved and served Christ and was a faithful member of Clear Creek Baptist Church for 67 years.

Above all things, Joyce loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. To them, she and Cecil were simply, "Mama Joyce" and "Grandaddy Cecil."  She counted it all joy to spend countless hours with her two eldest grandchildren, Jocelyn and Cody, and years later, the surprise grandchild, Cade. What a thrill Cade was for Mama Joyce and Grandaddy; one more grandchild to dote over and adore. Cade was especially a blessing to Mama Joyce after Grandaddy's passing. Mama Joyce's house later became the "hang out" for Cade and his friends throughout his teenage years. She cooked for them, washed their laundry, listened to what was happening in their lives, and gave them a place of constant love and stability. She enjoyed their company and loved and nurtured his friends just like they were her own.

Joyce Evans has left a mark of love, compassion, and generosity on the world she leaves behind. Everyone who knows her has been blessed by these virtues.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her brother, Jerry Fouts.

Survivors include her son, Tommy (Robin) Evans; sister, Winnie Reece; three grandchildren, Jocelyn Gunter, Cody (Chassidy) Evans, and Cade Evans; four great-grandchildren, Owen Gunter, Camden Gunter, John Parker Evans, and Shep Evans; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 15th at 1:00 PM from Clear Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Banks, Rev. Billy Dotson, and Rev. Cecil Townley officiating. Music will be performed by Amy and Wesley Banks. Interment will follow in the Clear Creek Baptist Church cemetery. Pallbearers serving are Cody Evans, Cade Evans, Owen Gunter, Camden Gunter, John Parker Evans, Shep Evans, Rylan Cochran, Carter Hice, Corbin Singleton, and Bennett Ray.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 14th from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

Flowers will be accepted, or donations can be made to the Clear Creek Baptist Church cemetery fund in care of Arlan Allison @ 929 Kennemur Rd. Ellijay, GA 30536. The family respectfully asks that no food be brought to the funeral home.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.