Joyce Dowd Douglas was born in Laurinburg, North Carolina to the parents of Walter and Annie Dowd on September 13, 1947.

She was born into a loving home with 5 siblings - Eddie Frank Williamson (deceased), Walter Dowd III, James Henry Dowd (deceased), Ruby Neal Dowd-Buie (deceased), and Larry Dowd. While growing up in North Carolina, Joyce was always known for her strong faith, family, and friendship. Her marriage to Winslo Douglas on June 28, 1969 moved her permanently to Greensboro, a place she would visit during her early years to take care of her cousins and earn money for school. While living in Greensboro, she attended Russel Business School in Winston Salem, NC and worked 2 years at North Carolina A&T. She owned and operated her own licensed daycare for over 30 years. Winslo and Joyce joined United Institutional Baptist church in 1974 where she served as a Deaconess for 31 years. She was the Superintendent of the Sunday School for nearly 30 years. Joyce was a member of the Rowan Baptist Association and remained in leadership since 1992. She was also Chair of the Oratorical Committee, a position she was very proud of. Joyce enjoyed traveling, spending time friends and family. She loved Myrtle Beach and visiting with her grandchildren. She also loved to attend the General Baptist Oratorical contest while traveling to cities such as Chicago, Atlanta and Baltimore. She truly enjoyed developing the futures of young Christians.

Winslo and Joyce spent time traveling and enjoyed supporting their church. They would often serve others before thinking of themselves. Joyce never met a stranger or a child that she wouldn’t befriend. Joyce had a full life, wanting others around her to know the love of her Lord and Savior. The Douglas house was also open to family, friends, church members and associates.

During her young adult life, Joyce developed polyps in her throat and cooperated tirelessly with the Food and Drug Administration, as they pioneered treatment. She is noted for undergoing a groundbreaking laser technique used in her throat and was the only patient recipient of the FDA’s certified laser in the 1990’s. She traveled the country to spread the news about the laser technique in places such as Boston, San Francisco, St. Louis and Washington, D.C. Joyce survived more than 400 operations at Winston Salem Baptist Hospital. Mrs. Douglas received her heavenly wings on October 3, 2022, at 11:05 p.m. She was the matriarch of her family and maintained a profound reverence for her beginnings and a special appreciation for her hometown. Joyce is survived by her husband Winslo Douglas and sons Winslo Douglas II, Kenneth (Nekisha) Douglas, Marques (Sparkle) Douglas and Christopher Douglas; and her brothers Walter Dowd III and Larry (Regina) Dowd. Winslo and Joyce are the proud grandparents of 11 grandchildren - Dorian Kirkwood, Kaiya Douglas, Zahra Douglas, Christopher Austin Douglas, Chase Douglas, Cadence Douglas, Caitlyn Douglas, Brice Douglas, Hollis Douglas and Jace Douglas. She is also host survived by nieces and nephews - Corelli Dowd, Shavonne Dowd, Kyndra Dowd, Maurice Dowd, Lashonda Dowd, Jeffery Dowd, Rhonda Dowd-Jackson, James Dowd II and Lauryn Dowd. There are also a host first cousins and life-long friends. “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place, but I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain, and I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we as a people will get to the Promised Land. So I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man! Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!” –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.