Joyce Claudette Carter-Kearse was born on November 30, 1936, the fourth child and only daughter of five children to the late Mary Betty Carter and Franklin Carter.  She grew up in Passing, Virginia, was educated and graduated from Union High School in Caroline County in June of 1954.  Following her graduation, she moved to Brooklyn, New York to live with her Aunt Ruth, Uncle Dan and cousins.Once settled in New York, Joyce sought secretarial employment with an insurance company.  In her spare time, enjoyed spending time with her cousins going to social gatherings, movies, dinner and dancing.  Joyce always said these were the "best years of my life."  It was during this time that she came to meet Bob Maxey.  Bob and Joyce dated, then married in June of 1958.  From this union their daughter, Patricia Anne Maxey was born on February 10, 1960.Following her marriage with Bob, Joyce was a single mother and continued to work in the secretarial field.  She later met Cleveland (Sonny) Kearse and married June 12, 1967.  Joyce gave birth to her second child, Bradley "Clay" Kearse on April 5, 1968.  The family moved to Hempstead, Long Island where she raised and educated both children.  While living in Hempstead, she sought employment with Sperry/Gruman, Lake Success, NY until she retired.After retiring, she moved to Bowling Green, VA, to assist in caring for her aging mother.  During this time, she purchased a home on Sparta Road in Milford.  Joyce's home was always full of love. laughter and joy - her door was always open to family and friends.  Known as the "new reporter" in the family, she was the go-to-person for all family information.  She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, playing computer games and internet shopping.Joyce was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend who will be deeply missed.Joyce departed this life on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 and leaves to cherish her memory, one daughter, Patricia Maxey; one son, Bradley Kearse; six grandchildren, James, Marcelles, Antoinette, Eric, Sierra and Savana; two brothers, Franklin (Alice) of West Hempstead, NY, David (Ethel) of Bowling Green and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.  She was preceded in death by one brother, Cornelius in 2008.A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 3207 Quarter Hill Road, Supply, VA 22436 .  Burial will be in the Johnson family cemetery at a later date.