She was a fierce advocate, mental health worker, and educator of children and adult minds.
Joyce F. Rollins, a retired mental health worker and school system educator, slipped peacefully away from us on a bright sunny afternoon in Allen, Texas on August 24, 2018, after battling a short illness. She was born on July 27, 1937, to the late Edna (nee: Chamberlain) and George A. Mullings in New York, New York.
A proud first generation Caribbean-American, Joyce was a high school graduate earned a bachelor degree and proudly received a master’s degree in education from Columbia University Teachers College. A native New Yorker and recent Texas transplant, Joyce had a passion for caring for people and expressed it in her work as an educator in the Newburgh New York School System. Joyce brought a fierce determination that her students would succeed in life to her years in the school system. Before her years as an educator, she shared her caring nature as a mental health case worker in New York City and Upstate New York. Following her retirement, she turned her talent for inspired learning to adult education. It was on one such morning in 2011, on her way to teach, that she suffered a life-altering stroke which her and Clyde bravely battled until her passing. An avid lover of clothing design, Joyce loved to create beautiful garments for her and her family. She was both old school and quite hip. Her flair for fashion complimented by her carefully manicured nails and coifed hair drew admiration from young and old. Her children made certain she was hip – keeping her updated with the latest tunes and dances spun from her Caribbean heritage combined with trendsetting New York flair. She made sure to demonstrate her flair while advancing causes at events sponsored by the beautiful Red Hat Ladies of Hudson Valley as well as many sororities and fraternities! Her deep infectious laugh, big heart, caring nature, and warm smile endeared her to so many. A voracious reader, she passed that love on to her children. Joyce was a loving woman who wore her heart on her finely-pressed sleeve!
While her career was a major life achievement, it was her roles as wife, mother, family organizer and friend that we mourn today.
Joyce leaves, to cherish her memories, her loving husband and partner in crime of over 50 years, Clyde B. Rollins. She is survived by her caring loving brother, Lawrence Mullings of Massachusetts. Joyce was the proud mother of and is also survived by her four children, Lynda Davis of New York, Eric Davis of Massachusetts, Earl Davis of Massachusetts, and Leslye Rollins-Smith of Texas. She is loved by her son-in-law, Dr. James D. Smith and daughter-in-law, Kia Davis. Joyce leaves a beautiful legacy in her grandson, Jason Rivera, and great-granddaughter Sydnee; her granddaughter Cemone Davis, and great-granddaughter Sunny and her grandson Mandela Davis. Joyce's love of laughter and fun was shared with her in-laws; Priscilla Mullings of New York, Bernard Rollins and Fran Jemmott-Rollins of California and Samuel H. and Eleanor Rollins of New York. Her light shines on within her line of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and loving friends.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents George and Edna Mullings; sisters, Carole Newland and Shirley Mullings; and brothers, Franklin and David Mullings.
She will live forever in our hearts and memories and we are blessed to have called her wife, mom, sister, aunt, cousin, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. May she rest in peace.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Friday, September 7, 2018 at Turrentine-Jackson Morrow Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. A light repast will follow at mom's favorite Texas restaurant; Silver Thai 906 West McDermott Dr. #104 Allen, Texas 75013.
Joyce was a survivor and strong advocate of curing breast cancer. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Susan G. Komen Foundation.