FRANKLINTON - Ellen Joyce Wilson Wood of Franklinton, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2015 at Transitions LifeCare Hospice Home of Raleigh, NC.

Joyce was born on December 1, 1937 in Nash County, NC, a daughter of the late Joshua and Ida Wilson. She married the love of her life, Joe Wood, in September of 1954 and just last year celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Joyce was a gentle soul, a wonderful cook, a devoted wife, a loving Mama to her three girls and a precious "Ma Ma" to her three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She loved a good laugh, her four-legged grandson (Coffee), a cold Diet Coke, cheese puffs, Alice's pies, and her soap operas, but most of all she loved her family and particularly her Joe. She devoted her life to taking care of them as long as her health allowed.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, William Garry Wilson, Willie Jay Wilson, Billy Ray Wilson, and Willis Wilson; her parents-in-law, Ernest and Betty Wood; brothers-in-law, Thurman Wood, Cleotha Wood, Bob Wood, Doug Wood, and Wayne Wood; sisters-in-law, Christine Bell, Elsa Braswell, Josie Wood, and Faye Wood.

Her three daughters survive her. They are Jo Ellen Fussell (Dan), Brenda Pearce (Tarbie), and Teresa Wood; three grandchildren, Steve Pearce (Tabitha), Amy Hamilton (Bryan), and D.J. Fussell (Megan); and five great-grandchildren, Tyler Pearce, Alyssa Gupton, Noah Pearce, Aidan Gupton, and Camilla Pearce. Also surviving are three brothers, James Wilson (Velma), Kenneth Wilson, and Jasper Wilson (Barbara); three sisters, Kathleen Wood, Eula Barbee (Wilbert), and Deborah Hill (Otha); sisters-in-law, Malva Jones, Betty Jean Medlin, Lora Patterson, Beck Dickerson, and Alice Hock (Maurice); one brother-in-law, Ed Wood. She was blessed with more than one hundred nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Joyce had many angels, who along with her husband and daughters, cared for her in her declining health. The family will be eternally grateful to Lora Patterson and Angie Melvin who made it possible for her to live at home these past few years. We would also like to thank Gentiva Home Health, Franklinton and Franklin County EMS, WakeMed Staff, Universal Health Care PT Staff, and Dr. Lavinia Reyes who were so attentive to her needs. Finally we thank the staff of Transitions LifeCare who cared for her and her family in her final days.

A celebration of Joyce's life will be held at 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, April 15, 2015 in the Chapel of Bright Funeral Home with Pastor Carl Hunter officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or to the charity of your choice.

Friends may visit with the family from 2-3 Wednesday afternoon prior to the service at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919-556-5811)

www.brightfunerals.com

Paid Obituary