Joyce Bernard-Bailey believes family is the most important thing. And we couldn’t agree more.
Joyce grew up in Waynesville, Mississippi with her parents and four sisters. They all lived in an old farmhouse and grew up together as tomboys. She is the middle child. Her father worked for the power company and her mother stayed at home raising everyone.
Joyce attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she met her first husband, Troy. Soon after they were married he was deployed during the Korean War in the Air Force. She wrote him letters often. She was later able to join him in his military travels in England, Italy, and Germany. Together they have two children, Mark and Kathy. Sadly, Troy passed from Alzheimer’s after they were married for 38 wonderful years together.
Joyce later remarried her longtime friend, Richard. With his job at IBM, they were able to live in sunny California together for 10 years. They were married for 15 before he passed. She is very proud of her two career-driven children, and they both live in the Asheville area, which enables them to visit often.
Joyce joined the Harmony family about a year ago at Harmony at Reynolds Mountain. She says the staff is “sweet as can be” and she loves going on day trips, playing bingo, and watching movies with her new friends. She is now 91 years old. One of her grandmothers lived to be 97 and the other lived to be 89 so she says “it’s all in the family.” She also says it’s important to “keep your family close, keep your mind busy, and to take one day at a time.” We think that’s great advice for everyone.
Wonderful residents like Joyce make Harmony Senior Services the best place to live!