The Life of Joyce Fox
Joyce Fox, age 89, of Gardendale, Alabama, passed from this earthly life and into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 2, 2016. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Mount Olive. Joyce was a devout Christian woman and her life was a wonderful example of what true Christianity is all about.
Serving people has always been a way of life for Joyce. In childhood her father owned two neighborhood grocery stores in Hillview and Sandusky, AL. As soon as she was old enough to look over the counter she began to serve the public which became the source for her great love for people.
Upon graduation from high school she joined the staff of the historic First Baptist Church in downtown Birmingham as the educational secretary and youth director. Feeling the need for further education that she might be more effective in her religious work, she attended the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and received a diploma in Religious Education. While attending seminary she served as a part time secretary for the First Baptist Church in New Orleans. Her first position after graduation was Youth Director of the First Baptist Church of San Antonio, Texas.
The Woman''s Missionary Union in Louisiana invited her to assume leadership of its Young Women''s Auxiliary. In 1964 after two years in Alexandria, Joyce married the love of her life, Dr. Walter M. Fox, and she became a devoted pastor''s wife. She and "Preacher" faithfully served the Lord side by side throughout their marriage. Most of their service together was at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Lafayette, Louisiana. In addition to the pastorate the Foxes conducted an extensive teaching and writing ministry in the area of religious education and family living and went on to start five mission churches in the area.
During this time Joyce was concerned because there was not a religious book store within 100 miles to serve the needs of people and churches; Joyce opened the Lafayette Christian Bookstore in 1972 and operated the bookstore for five years.
Joyce enjoyed teaching and taught bible classes for the ladies of the churches for over 30 years and she was a speaker at many churches and seminars. Joyce returned home to Alabama after the passing of her husband in 1998 and continued her service to the Lord. In her later years she was also writer for E-Thoughts devotionals.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Ada Bonds; her loving husband, Dr. Walter M. Fox; step-son, Frank Fox; five brothers, Coleman, Olen, Alvin, Moxie and Ronald Bonds; seven sisters, Edith, Juanita and Virginia Bonds, Geneva Manning, Aliene Shipman, Jacqueline Lynn and Gwendolyn Jones.
She is survived by a step-daughter, Jackie Glover (Larry); sister, Geraldine Bonds; sister-in-laws, Ernestine and Paulette Bonds; granddaughter, Ann Sellers (Nick); great grandchildren, Rorie and Brogan Sellers; twelve nieces and nephews, and special friends Kay and Kelly Karrh.
The family extends special thanks to the staff of Covenant Place of Gardendale, Healing Touch Caregivers, and Hope Hospice for their loving care and support.
A Celebration of Life Well Lived will be held at First Baptist Church of Mount Olive on Saturday, March 5th, with a visitation to begin at 12:00pm and a funeral service at 2:00pm. Her life will be celebrated on Monday, March 7th, 2016 at Community Baptist Church, 800 Rue du Belier, Lafayette, LA from 8:30am until 10:30am followed by a graveside service at 11:00am in Lafayette Memorial Park, Lafayette, LA.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Baptist Church Mount Olive, "Chest of Joash".
Serving people has always been a way of life for Joyce. In childhood her father owned two neighborhood grocery stores in Hillview and Sandusky, AL. As soon as she was old enough to look over the counter she began to serve the public which became the source for her great love for people.
Upon graduation from high school she joined the staff of the historic First Baptist Church in downtown Birmingham as the educational secretary and youth director. Feeling the need for further education that she might be more effective in her religious work, she attended the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and received a diploma in Religious Education. While attending seminary she served as a part time secretary for the First Baptist Church in New Orleans. Her first position after graduation was Youth Director of the First Baptist Church of San Antonio, Texas.
The Woman''s Missionary Union in Louisiana invited her to assume leadership of its Young Women''s Auxiliary. In 1964 after two years in Alexandria, Joyce married the love of her life, Dr. Walter M. Fox, and she became a devoted pastor''s wife. She and "Preacher" faithfully served the Lord side by side throughout their marriage. Most of their service together was at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Lafayette, Louisiana. In addition to the pastorate the Foxes conducted an extensive teaching and writing ministry in the area of religious education and family living and went on to start five mission churches in the area.
During this time Joyce was concerned because there was not a religious book store within 100 miles to serve the needs of people and churches; Joyce opened the Lafayette Christian Bookstore in 1972 and operated the bookstore for five years.
Joyce enjoyed teaching and taught bible classes for the ladies of the churches for over 30 years and she was a speaker at many churches and seminars. Joyce returned home to Alabama after the passing of her husband in 1998 and continued her service to the Lord. In her later years she was also writer for E-Thoughts devotionals.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Ada Bonds; her loving husband, Dr. Walter M. Fox; step-son, Frank Fox; five brothers, Coleman, Olen, Alvin, Moxie and Ronald Bonds; seven sisters, Edith, Juanita and Virginia Bonds, Geneva Manning, Aliene Shipman, Jacqueline Lynn and Gwendolyn Jones.
She is survived by a step-daughter, Jackie Glover (Larry); sister, Geraldine Bonds; sister-in-laws, Ernestine and Paulette Bonds; granddaughter, Ann Sellers (Nick); great grandchildren, Rorie and Brogan Sellers; twelve nieces and nephews, and special friends Kay and Kelly Karrh.
The family extends special thanks to the staff of Covenant Place of Gardendale, Healing Touch Caregivers, and Hope Hospice for their loving care and support.
A Celebration of Life Well Lived will be held at First Baptist Church of Mount Olive on Saturday, March 5th, with a visitation to begin at 12:00pm and a funeral service at 2:00pm. Her life will be celebrated on Monday, March 7th, 2016 at Community Baptist Church, 800 Rue du Belier, Lafayette, LA from 8:30am until 10:30am followed by a graveside service at 11:00am in Lafayette Memorial Park, Lafayette, LA.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Baptist Church Mount Olive, "Chest of Joash".
