Joyce Fouts Evans

Mrs. Joyce Fouts Evans, 92, of Ellijay, died Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, at her residence.

She was born Oct. 5, 1929, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., to the late Almarine and Allie Norton Fouts.

She 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.

She 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.

She 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, she loved spending time with 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 “hangout” 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.

She is preceded in death by brother, Jerry Fouts.

She is survived by son, Tommy (Robin) Evans; sister, Winnie Reece; grandchildren, Jocelyn Gunter, Cody (Chassidy) Evans, and Cade Evans; great-grandchildren, Owen Gunter, Camden Gunter, John Parker Evans and Shep Evans; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, from Clear Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Banks, the Rev. Billy Dotson and Rev. Cecil Townley officiating.

Music was by Amy and Wesley Banks.

Interment was in the Clear Creek Baptist Church cemetery.

Pallbearers were Cody Evans, Cade Evans, Owen Gunter, Camden Gunter, John Parker Evans, Shep Evans, Rylan Cochran, Carter Hice, Corbin Singleton and Bennett Ray.

Donations can be made to the Clear Creek Baptist Church cemetery fund, c/o Arlan Allison, 929 Kennemur Rd., Ellijay, GA 30536.

Bernhardt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.