Joyce Eleanor Johnson

Rev. Joyce Eleanor Cowham Johnson., age 88, of Danville, VA, passed to her heavenly home on Monday, December 9, at Roman Eagle Memorial Home in Danville, VA. 

Rev. Joyce Johnson was born April 20, 1936, to Arthur Martin Cowham and Malissa Louise Davis Cowham in Lakeland, Florida. 

She was predeceased in death by her husband,  Rev. Billy Gene Johnson, Sr. 

Bill & Joy had four children, Billy G. Johnson, Jr. (Gisele), Columbia, SC; Gloria Anderson (Dwayne), Waynesboro, VA; Melanie Clark (James), Reston, VA; and Arthur Johnson  (Dara), Ringgold, VA.  They also have seven grandchildren (Robin, Peirce, Cody (Brittany), Marshall, Nicholas, Cassidy, and Ashley) and one great-grandchild, Sadie. Joyce began her career in the ministry with her husband Bill, in the Salvation Army. She graduated from Duke University with a Master of Divinity and in 1985, she began  reaching with the United Methodist Church at Westover Hills United Methodist. In 1988, she moved to Hampton, VA and pastored Tyler Memorial/Bethany Methodist  Church until 1990. From there she moved to Staunton to Jollivue United Methodist Church then Macedonia United Methodist Church (1992) in Winchester, VA. Her final  appointment in 1996 was with Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church & St. James United Methodist Church in Mt. Crawford, VA until her retirement in 1999.

Joyce was a talented musician, minister, and artist. She loved playing the piano, painting, and making any house she moved into – a home.

A private memorial will be held later at Danville Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to express thanks to Cindy Walker and Tiffany Rowles for their wonderful care of Joyce before her admission to Roman Eagle.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Danville-Pittsylvania County Cancer Association or the Danville Life Saving Crew.