JOYCE ANN BATES WHITE's Obituary
DACULA –
Joyce Ann Bates White, formerly of St. Simons Island, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, February 15, 2023, after an extended illness. Graveside Services will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. in Evergreen Cemetery in Perry, Georgia, where she will be laid to rest with her beloved parents. Immediately following the burial, a Celebration of Life Reception will be held at Houston Lake Country Club, 100 Champions Way, also in Perry. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions in memory of Joyce to FOPAS, Friends of Perry Animal Shelter, 204 Kellwood Drive, Perry, Georgia 31069.
Joyce Ann was born in Perry, Georgia, and grew up in Macon. She graduated from North Central High School in Macon with the Class of 1971 and attended Stratford’s Women’s College in Danville, Georgia. Joyce began working as a Sales Representative with First American Title Insurance and, after some time, became the lead sales rep. She moved to St. Simons Island in 1996, and after building a dynasty within her company, Joyce retired after twenty successful years with her “babies” (her clients) in the insurance business. 2010 saw the beginning of her new venture as a Fashion Designer with Evelyne Talman, which she loved. Many customers turned to Joyce for fashion advice over and over because they trusted her to recommend clothes that were flattering and would have them looking their best. She made many close friends through the years in that special boutique and on the island. Respected and loved by everyone she met, Joyce never felt a job was beneath her and would help in every aspect of business. Near the end of her life, Joyce made the decision to move to Dacula, Georgia, to be near her children and grandchildren who cared for her through her final stages of life.
Joyce Ann was preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Ann Tolleson Baker, and her father, William “Bill” Bates.
Left to cherish the memories they made with Joyce Ann are her daughter and son-in-law, Mallory and Jason Ferguson, and their daughters, Natalie and Mackenzie Ferguson; her son, Hunter M. White; her brother and sister-in-law, Carter and Thayer Bates; her bonus children, Carrie Tullis, Michael White, and Stephen White; nine bonus grandchildren; and her beloved fur babies, Buckley, Mattie, and Izzy.
Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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