Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

May 20, 2026

CHARLOTTE – Dr. Joyce Hayes Shealy was a force, an enigma, an icon, an amazing woman who changed all who knew her over the century that she lived.  Her fervent wish in her last years was to go home.  She was granted her wish with her death on May 20, 2026.

Marie Joyce Hayes was born on February 7, 1926, to the late Nora Rogers Hayes and Joseph Trus Hayes, from Dillon County SC.  She was preceded in death by her husband George Allyn Shealy, her brother Joseph Trus Hayes, Jr., and his wife, Mary Francis Hayes.

Joyce received her Ph.D. with a specialty in Psychometrics and General Experimental Psychology from The University of North Carolina.  She then began her rich teaching life and joined the faculty at Queens College in 1959.  Her storied career in teaching was marked with several teaching awards, reflecting the immense respect her students held for her.

Joyce was also held in great respect by her colleagues and administration at Queens.  During her time at Queens, she served in several leadership positions.  She served as Chair of the Psychology Department for 28 years, as Dean of the College of Arts and Science, and Acting Vice President of Academic Affairs.   She was awarded the Dana Endowed Chair of Psychology in 1974. Upon her retirement in 1992, she was named Professor Emerita of Psychology.  Dr. Shealy was also a lifelong member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Joyce was a demanding teacher, expecting excellence from her students.  As a result, she had countless students who fulfilled her expectations in impressive careers.  She demanded much of her colleagues as well in her leadership positions.  Her mentorship of students and faculty is still spoken of today.  She continued to have remarkably close relationships with many students until the end of her life.  Joyce cloaked herself in a hardshell which evoked fear in many students and faculty colleagues.  But once broken, her kind and caring heart showed through, and it was easy to respect and love her.  Joyce Shealy’s impact will never fade but rather continue across generations.

Joyce threw the best parties at her beautiful house in Myers Park, first alongside her husband and continued after his death.  Her friends describe them as legendary.  Many a story has been passed down about those parties.  A rite of passage for new faculty was to be invited to her end of semester “whoomph” parties.  Everyone wanted to be on the list but not everyone made it!  And if you moved into an administrative position, regardless of friendship, you were disinvited to these faculty only parties.

Joyce loved traveling. She and her husband George made regular trips to Montauk, NY where she enjoyed fishing.  They also traveled the world together. Regular trips with family took her all over.  She was a beach lover and traveled to beaches in North and South Carolina with former students and friends.  She participated in several faculty-led student trips to locales around the world.  After she retired, she continued traveling with friends to national and international locales.  Joyce lived a very full and beautiful life.

Joyce is survived by nieces, Joan Hayes Rocha, Mary Jean Hayes Behan (the late Austin Behan), nephew Joseph T Hayes III (Sandra), great niece Dr. Paula R. Hayes (Ken Kaizer), great nephews Jack R. Hayes (Hala) and Benjamin Hayes, great great nephew Leo Hayes, and great great niece Zeina Hayes.

Joyce requested a party at her house after her death.  Sadly, that house is no longer.  So, we will celebrate her with a service in Belk Chapel at Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Avenue on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM. A reception will be held in the Chapel rotunda immediately after the service.  Let’s make it a joyful celebration of our dear aunt and friend.  She will haunt us if we don’t make it a good party.

A private burial will take place in the family cemetery in Dillon County, SC.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Dr. Joyce H. and George A. Shealy Endowed Scholarship supporting undergraduate students in Art and Psychology at Queens University of Charlotte.

The family would like to thank the staff on the Magnolia wing of the Stewart Health Center at the Cypress of Charlotte for their loving care.  The family would also like to thank Joyce’s colleagues from Queens who regularly visited her over the years, reminding her how much she was loved and respected.  A very special thanks goes to Lindsay Tice (former student of Joyce’s at Queens) for the unending devotion and love she gave to her dear Dr. Shealy.

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