November 11, 1946 – May 29, 2022

Joyce Wallace, 76 died on Sunday May 29, 2022.  She was the daughter of Rev. Leonard Edwards and Margey (Miller) Edwards. She was the youngest of their three children, Rev. Carol (Edwards) Visser and David Edwards. She was born in Concord, NH and moved to Lowell, MA where she spent most of her childhood. Her family moved to Danvers, MA when her father became the minister of Grace Community Church in Danvers, MA. Joyce went to college at Gordon College in Wenham, MA.

At her father's church she met a man who she eventually married, Kenneth Wallace Jr. She graduated college in 1967 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She married that same year. They had two children, Keith Wallace and Heather (Wallace) Whittier. The family lived in Lynn and then Beverly until they settled down in Salem. Joyce stayed home to raise their two children until the youngest, Heather, was in elementary school. Joyce then returned back to the education field, first with substitute teaching during which time continued her education earning three master degrees. She eventually found her teaching home at Essex Aggie where she was their Special Education support teacher.

Joyce, in her youth, was a Pioneer Girl and received three of their highest awards. For her children she became a Den Mother in Cub Scouts and a leader in Camp Fire Girls. Along with teaching, being a Den Mother and Camp Fire Girls, she was deeply involved in the church she attended. If that was not enough, she had a tremendous love for gardening and took classes in flower arranging; filling her home with the arrangements she created while being very active in the Salem Garden Club.

One of her biggest loves was her only granddaughter, Alexis Whittier. She loved being very active in her life, attending school events and soccer games. It was a special bond, like no other.

Joyce is survived by her older sister Rev. Carol Visser, her husband Rev. Kenneth Wallace, their son Keith Wallace, their daughter Heather Whittier and Heather's daughter Alexis Whittier.

Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 from 9 to noon at Murphy Funeral Home 85 Federal Street, Salem MA.  Following the visiting hours, her Funeral Service will be held at the North Shore Community Baptist Church 9 Hart Street Beverly, MA at 1:00 PM followed by coffee and refreshments. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

In honor of the beautiful life Joyce lived and to honor her, the family asks that if you have something with a floral pattern wearing it would be appreciated. Let her love of flowers brighten this moment of remembrance. To God be the glory!

Arrangements by the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem, MA.