Joyce Marie Bailey

October 30, 1949 - September 5, 2019

Mrs. Joyce Marie Gonzalez Bailey, 69, of Matthews, passed Thursday, September 5, 2019. Joyce was born in Washington DC on October 30, 1949, the daughter of Joseph Michael Sr. and Gertrude Foley Gonzalez. She grew up in Maryland and went to work in the paper industry. She excelled in customer service and sales and spent her career in the paper industry, ultimately retiring from International Paper. In 1967, she married Claude Bailey and in 1969, they moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Joyce enjoyed many things in life, including bowling, skeet shooting and her favorite football team, the Washington Redskins. Most of all, however, she loved the time spent with family and friends. Joyce is survived by her husband, Claude; two nieces: Alicia Gonzalez of Hughesville, MD, and Kari (husband Jonathan) Marlowe Huntingtown, MD; sister-in-law, Melanie Gonzalez of Huntingtown, MD. She is further survived by her best friend, Cathey Grant; and numerous other relatives and friends. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Joseph Michael Gonzalez Jr. Joyce’s family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for her and for them. Friends may call upon the family from 6:00 to 7:00 pm on Sunday, September 8, at the funeral home, 4715 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews, NC 28105. At 7:00 pm, Rev. Patience Brumley will lead a service in the funeral home chapel to celebrate the life, love and blessing of Joyce. All services will conclude that evening. In honor of Joyce’s love of children and animals, the family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, you consider a donation in her name to St Jude Children's Hospital www.stjude.org , your local Humane Society or local SPCA branch.