1932
Joyce
2013
Joyce Ann Taylor
August 19, 1932 — November 16, 2013
Joyce Ann Taylor, 81, of Newport, passed away Saturday, November 16, 2013, at the Crystal Coast Hospice House with her chosen family of close friends at her side.
Friends are invited to gather to remember Joyce at CMAST (NCSU Center for Marine Sciences and Technology), 303 College Circle Room 205, Morehead City, NC, on Friday, November 22 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Joyce was born August 18, 1932 in Asheville, NC, to John Melvin Taylor and Emma Ruth McKenzie Taylor. Her mother died when she was an infant, and she was raised by her paternal grandparents, Henry and Leona Taylor. She grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, attended Mars Hill College and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1954. She moved to the coast where she first worked as a church educator and began a career in Carteret County schools in 1956. She taught various grades and subjects at Camp Glenn Elementary, Morehead Middle and West Carteret High Schools, but her first love was English literature. She later taught adult English classes at Carteret Community College.
In 1973, Joyce accepted a part-time position and began work full-time as a seafood education specialist in 1974 for North Carolina Sea Grant at the North Carolina State University Seafood Laboratory where she became known as the “Guru of Seafood.” Joyce received recognition and numerous awards for developing a state-wide extension education program to promote North Carolina seafood. She is best known for leading a dedicated group of Carteret County Extension volunteers, known as the Nutrition Leaders.
Under Joyce’s leadership, the Nutrition Leaders created kitchen-tested seafood recipes using commercial species harvested by North Carolina fishermen. Only the best earned the approval of Joyce and her team, to be included in the newsletter Mariner’s Menu, and later in the resource manual Mariner's Menu: 30 Years of Fresh Seafood Ideas, which is still widely sold and used by home cooks today. Joyce retired in 1996, but continued to work part-time with Sea Grant and the Seafood Laboratory on special projects.
An intensely independent and private person, Joyce was diminutive in stature but strong in spirit and loyal to her friends. A mountain native, she belonged to the shore, delighting in the waters of the Crystal Coast, whether sailing, beach walking or fishing. Joyce was known for her dry wit, her outspoken nature, her exacting standards and her deep love for animals, especially dogs. Once asked by a stranger if she had children, she remarked: “Goodness no! I’ve always preferred the company of dogs!”
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents and by her only brother, David Taylor of Lenoir. She is survived by a niece, Carol Harless and husband Harold of Old Fort, a nephew, Roger Taylor and wife Linda of Lenoir, and her adored rescued Shih-Tzu, Josie. Her ashes will be interred at Bayview Cemetery beside her dear friend Lillian “Sissie” Wallace.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to PAWS at 5042 Mattie St. Morehead City, NC 28557.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Morehead City.
Friends are invited to gather to remember Joyce at CMAST (NCSU Center for Marine Sciences and Technology), 303 College Circle Room 205, Morehead City, NC, on Friday, November 22 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Joyce was born August 18, 1932 in Asheville, NC, to John Melvin Taylor and Emma Ruth McKenzie Taylor. Her mother died when she was an infant, and she was raised by her paternal grandparents, Henry and Leona Taylor. She grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, attended Mars Hill College and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1954. She moved to the coast where she first worked as a church educator and began a career in Carteret County schools in 1956. She taught various grades and subjects at Camp Glenn Elementary, Morehead Middle and West Carteret High Schools, but her first love was English literature. She later taught adult English classes at Carteret Community College.
In 1973, Joyce accepted a part-time position and began work full-time as a seafood education specialist in 1974 for North Carolina Sea Grant at the North Carolina State University Seafood Laboratory where she became known as the “Guru of Seafood.” Joyce received recognition and numerous awards for developing a state-wide extension education program to promote North Carolina seafood. She is best known for leading a dedicated group of Carteret County Extension volunteers, known as the Nutrition Leaders.
Under Joyce’s leadership, the Nutrition Leaders created kitchen-tested seafood recipes using commercial species harvested by North Carolina fishermen. Only the best earned the approval of Joyce and her team, to be included in the newsletter Mariner’s Menu, and later in the resource manual Mariner's Menu: 30 Years of Fresh Seafood Ideas, which is still widely sold and used by home cooks today. Joyce retired in 1996, but continued to work part-time with Sea Grant and the Seafood Laboratory on special projects.
An intensely independent and private person, Joyce was diminutive in stature but strong in spirit and loyal to her friends. A mountain native, she belonged to the shore, delighting in the waters of the Crystal Coast, whether sailing, beach walking or fishing. Joyce was known for her dry wit, her outspoken nature, her exacting standards and her deep love for animals, especially dogs. Once asked by a stranger if she had children, she remarked: “Goodness no! I’ve always preferred the company of dogs!”
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents and by her only brother, David Taylor of Lenoir. She is survived by a niece, Carol Harless and husband Harold of Old Fort, a nephew, Roger Taylor and wife Linda of Lenoir, and her adored rescued Shih-Tzu, Josie. Her ashes will be interred at Bayview Cemetery beside her dear friend Lillian “Sissie” Wallace.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to PAWS at 5042 Mattie St. Morehead City, NC 28557.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Morehead City.
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