Joyce L. Wallace Crawley, 81, transitioned peacefully on Monday evening, February 23, 2026, after a brief illness and hospital stay. She was surrounded by her family and was ushered into Heaven through prayers and songs.
Joyce was born on July 17, 1944, in Charles City County, VA and was the seventh living child born to Summerfield and Rosetta Bradby Wallace. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband and love of her life, Ralph H. Crawley, Sr; siblings, Emma Adkins, Willie Summerfield, Jr., Etta Jones, Arnette Brown, Leon Wallace, Delois Allen, Dallis Wallace, Sr., Rosa Tabb, Evan Wallace, Sr., Bobby Wallace and Maurice Wallace; as well as nephews, Floyd Miles Jr. and Dallis Wallace Jr. (Godson).
Joyce accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and was a member of Little Elam Baptist Church. She was educated in the Charles City County School System where she was a product of Ruthville High School. She was a master seamstress, beautician, floral designer, caregiver, therapist and extraordinary cook (it was nothing like JC’s kitchen where she cooked with love!), and until her recent illness the pianist for New Vine Baptist Church for 35+ years. She was the founder of the Budding Angels as well as lifelong member of The Inspirationals and The Charles City Gospel Singers.
Joyce worked in her gifting. She had a gift of help that went beyond what many of us will never know. She had a way of knowing how to treat people, meeting them where they were, a way of speaking her mind and a way of sharing memories to help her family remember each relative (almost everyone in Charles City) in a special way. She had an open-door policy. Her home was a place of rest to many. She reached deep and cast a wide net of love that will be remembered for many years to come.
Joyce leaves to cherish her memory, her loving children, Sidney Burton Jr. (TaVonya), and devoted daughter, Sherri Donson (Andrew, devoted); a dedicated and faithful niece/God daughter, Hope Wallace; devoted grandchildren, Robert “Roc”, Tanika “Bush”, LaPrecious, Dallena “Scoot”, and Jeremiah (JD). She was also known as Nanny to Shakeia, Faith, Tashauna, Legend, Caden and Serenity; beloved siblings, Rev. Daniel Wallace, Sr. (Phyllis), Clem Miles (Floyd, Sr.), Anna Adkins (Dudley), Dorothy Armstead (Michael), Brenda Copling (Wesley), and Wilhemenia Young (Tyrone); brother and sister-in-law, Clyde Allen and Elinor Wallace. Dr. Burrell Smith was her spiritual mentor and friend for many decades. Devoted friend/daughter Frances Jefferson, and longtime family friend Fay Mason. She reared many nieces, nephews, cousins and was THAT special auntie/mama to many. She will truly be missed.
