Joyce P. Tewksbury entered into the hands of God on March 2nd, 2024, joining her husband Lt. Colonel John H. Tewksbury “Tewks” and their daughter Elizabeth Lynn Howell in heaven.
Joyce is survived by her children, Thomas E. Tewksbury and his wife Katherine K. Tewksbury, Gayle H. Tewksbury, Jill B. Tewksbury and her husband Charles Faber and Robert Howell (Lynn’s Husband) Joyce was loved dearly by her many grandchildren; Michael McDowell (wife Morgan), Kyle McDowell, Taylor Tewksbury, McKenzie Park (wife Anna), Ariana Hardiman (husband Mike), Ellery Vallier (husband David), Isabelle Tiller, her five loving great-grandsons, and her beloved niece Gwynn Wolfe.
Born in 1935 to Reverend Wiley Bruce Peck and Mildred Peck, Joyce enjoyed a blissful childhood with her three brothers in West Virginia. She went on to attend Duke University, where she graduated as an RN in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. That same year, Joyce married Tewks and settled in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, where they built a strong foundation for their careers and started a family.
In 1968, Joyce and Tewks, also known as “Mr. and Mrs. T.”, moved to Williamsburg, Virginia where they were immediately welcomed and loved by the community. Joyce continued her nursing career at the Pines Convalescent Center where she was the Director of Nursing for over twenty years. Toward the end of her career, Joyce served as a renowned teaching nurse, inspiring countless people to enter the nursing profession and leaving a lasting legacy among the local nursing community, her students, and most importantly—the patients in her care.
Outside of their successful careers, Joyce and Tewks enjoyed raising their four children in Williamsburg’s Queens Lake, where summers were spent swimming at The Queens Lake Pool and boating in the York River and Chesapeake Bay. As an avid animal lover, Joyce also treasured the time she spent with her daughter Jill and her horses, which remained a passion throughout her entire life.
Upon retirement, Joyce and Tewks moved to Gloucester, Virginia to make room for a growing stable of miniature ponies, alpacas, chickens, goats, cats and of course—at least two labs. While nurturing her abundance of animals, Joyce was also blessed with the many grandchildren, which brought even more joy into her vibrant life. Her friends and family will always remember her kind, gentle heart, and her eternal light will shine on endlessly.
Services will be held on Saturday March 9, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Rd. Williamsburg, Va 23185. Reception to follow at the home of Jill and Charlie Faber 2008 Forge Rd. Toano, Va 23168.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Riverside Hospice Fund.
