Brenda Sue Joyce Martin
Brenda Joyce Martin, born Brenda Sue Joyce, 81, of Cool Springs, Tennessee, and formerly of Martinsville, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2026. She was born in Henry County, August 26, 1944, to the late Robert Luther Joyce and Birdie Cruise Joyce.
She graduated from Drewry Mason High School in 1962 and in addition to serving her family gracefully as a homemaker, she was also employed at different times, most notably in order entry with Pannill Knitting Company and Sara Lee while in Martinsville and later when the family relocated to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1990.
She grew up loving and following Jesus Christ and spent many years alongside her husband and children as an active member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Martinsville and later Pfafftown Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. She loved needle point and scrapbooking, but most of all spending time with her family and friends. You could also find her regularly walking around the track of Martinsville High School for exercise, and she never met someone with whom she wouldn’t strike up a conversation. She was also known for her Happy Birthday phone calls to anyone and everyone she knew, which would include a rendition of the famous song, either live or on the answering machine if no one answered when she called.
She adored her parents and relatives and had a wonderful relationship with both her sister and brother throughout her life. She was married to Herbert (Lee) for over 50 years. Her example as a devoted wife, mother, sister, and daughter was extraordinary and was obvious to anyone who spent any time around her.
She is survived by her son, Jason Lee Martin (Abby), and her stepson Christopher L. Martin, as well as two granddaughters, Clara Grace and Ivy Beth Martin (Jason), sister, Ann Vickers of Burlington, NC, brother, Robert Joyce of Bassett, VA.
Preceding her in death was her husband Herbert Leroy Martin (2024), one daughter-in-law Pattie Coe Martin (Christopher) and one granddaughter Kasey Martin (Christopher).
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 2nd at 12:00 pm at McKee-Stone Funeral Home, 109 Broad Street, Martinsville, Va. with a visitation at 11 am prior to the service.
Interment will follow the service at Roselawn Burial Park in Martinsville.
