Shirley Mae Joyce Mabe, 88, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, entered eternal rest Thursday, November 29, 2024, at Annie Penn Hospital.
She was born on May 31, 1936, in Stokes County, to the late Jesse Fontaine Joyce and Nannie Via Joyce. She attended Pine Hall School, was a long-time member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, and a retired supervisor from Burlington Industries. Shirley never had idle hands. She was a homemaker who loved taking care of her earthly family and church family. Throughout the years she taught the children’s classes at church, and taught the children’s sermon each Sunday, was a member of the choir, and was involved with fund raisers for Relay for Life. She was an avid reader, especially her Bible, enjoyed crocheting afghans, collecting wind chimes and teapots, and had a green thumb with flowers and potting plants. Shirley loved cooking holiday meals for the family, watching face book videos and eating at the Airport Drive-In Restaurant, Checkers Grill and Grocery, and the Olympic Family Restaurant. She loved to laugh, to sing, and give hugs. She was a joy to be around.
In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her late husband of 52 years, Carroll Lindbergh Mabe; two sons, Randy and Scott Mabe; two grandchildren, Daniel Brewer, Curt Mabe, and two great-grandchildren, Nicholas Craddock and Kaiden Lane Majerick.. She is also preceded in death by six brothers, Arthur, Tom, Joe, Jessie, Jr., Charles and Leonard Joyce; eight sisters, Mildred Dobson, Louise Howell, Thelma Belton, Catherine Jessup, Ruth Flynt, Barbara Hand, Nancy Branch, and Marjorie Arlene Joyce.
Shirley is survived by two sons, Richard Mabe (Bobbie), of Lewisville, and Bruce Mabe, of Madison; two daughters, Lisa Brewer (James “Buck”) and Lori Mabe; brother, Harold Joyce and sister, Brenda Wall (Wayne); a special brother-in-law, Ray Rhodes (Bonnie), all of Madison; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren and one great- great- grandchild. Also left to cherish Shirley’s memory are several nephews and nieces, special friends, Mary and Don Mabe and Nancy Roberts.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o of Judy Hennis, 4543 NC Hwy 772, Madison, NC 27025, or to Relay for Life.
The family would like to thank the care team at Annie Penn Hospital, Annie Penn Cancer Center, and Wake Forest Baptist Cancer center for their support throughout Shirley’s illness.
Colonial Funeral Home Stokes Chapel in Sandy Ridge is serving the family.
Online condolences may be offered at www.colonialfh.net.
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