Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 23, 2021

Joyce Simpson Jones passed away on August 23, 2021. She was 79 years young. She is survived by her husband and the love of her life, Robert Eldredge Jones.

Joyce was known by family and friends for her beautiful smile, warm heart, quick wit, and positive outlook on life. She had an infectious sense of humor, which she honed by watching more than her fair share of Seinfield reruns.

Born August 6, 1942, in Greenville, SC, Joyce graduated from Greenville High and attended The University of South Carolina. Joyce was resourceful and adventurous, and she developed her classic taste and love of beautiful things into several professional ventures. When her children were young, she used skills gained refurbishing their house on Beverly Drive to start Lady Bugs, a wallpaper hanging business. Joyce had a passion for art and antiques; first sourcing, manufacturing, and importing lighting from Asia, and finally starting her own business, Antiques Abroad, which arranged antique buying trips for customers from all over North America to England, France, Italy, and Portugal. When 9/11 impacted interest in traveling abroad, she pivoted her company and small staff to an antique moving business within the US.

An avid athlete, Joyce completed both the London and New York City marathons as well as a multi-day trek through the mountains of the Lake District in England, where she faced her fear of heights. Most mornings she could be found outside the Dowd YMCA minutes before it opened, and her workout regimen rivaled those who were decades younger. It was there that Robert first saw Joyce and asked, “who’s that good looking girl on the bike?” Their subsequent introduction was the beginning of a beautiful partnership and an enduring love story.

Joyce is also survived by her brother, Bobby Simpson of Seattle, WA, and her three sons and two daughters: Burch Mixon and wife Arrington of Charlotte, NC, Brian Mixon of Denver, CO, Brooks Mixon of Charlotte, NC, Sara Hyatt and husband Josh of Raleigh, NC and Alice Grove and husband Jacob of Charlotte, NC. “Honey” (aptly named because she was so sweet) had ten grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Elise and Burch Mixon, Sloane and Wes Mixon, Miles and Cooper Mixon, Daniel and William Hyatt and Henry and Jack Grove. She was predeceased by her father, Tux Ward Simpson, her mother, Elizabeth Galloway Simpson and her sister, Betsy Beegle.

A celebration of her joy-filled and well-lived life will be held Monday, August 30, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207. A reception will be held in Oxford Hall after the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either the Dowd YMCA (ymcacharlotte.org), or The Parkinson’s Foundation (Parkinson.org).

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.