Mrs. Hilda "Joyce" (Barefoot) Keene

Mrs. Hilda “Joyce” Keene, of 3220 Lillian Place, Fayetteville, NC, passed away peacefully at her home with all of her family surrounded by her side on July 8th, 2021.

Funeral Services to celebrate Joyce’s life will be held on Sunday, July 11th at 3:00 pm at Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1481 Fleet Cooper Road, Roseboro, NC 28382 with Reverend John Hobbs officiating.  Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 2:00-2:45 pm. Burial will follow the service in the cemetery at Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church.

Born on December 14, 1938 in Johnston County, Joyce was the daughter of the late Isaac Barefoot and Leonia Austin Barefoot and widow to the late Clois Delwood Keene. She grew up in Johnston County and was a Nurse’s assistant, hairdresser and homemaker all her life. She was a member of Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church and enjoyed fellowshipping with her church friends and family. She enjoyed working outside in the sunshine. In her early years, she particularly enjoyed planting her garden and watching it grow along with her family.  Joyce was an adoring and kind woman who loved God and her family more than anything, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She leaves behind her three daughters: Debbie Tew and husband Howard of Whiteville, North Carolina, Wanda Bleacher and husband Jeff of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Renee Gallagher and husband Joe of Seabrook, Texas.  She was also blessed with eight grandchildren, Miki Tew and wife Tessla, Jason Tew and wife Sloan, Amber Cozad and husband Mark, Danielle Faircloth Gallagher, Shane Hairr and wife Lori, Jeremy Gallagher and wife Miranda, Amanda Sharp and Kaitlyn Casey. In addition to her grandchildren she was blessed with fourteen great grandchildren, Alston Tew, Chloe Tew, Isabel Tew, Brady Tew, Beckham Tew, Ethan Cozad, Miki Cozad, Gavin Sharp, Addison Sharp, Lorelai Casey, Ridge Payne, Guin Nunez, Desi Patton and Tristan Mitchell. She has two living sisters, Doris Pope and Mary Bowen. In addition, she and her family have been blessed with life-long friendships with Elbert and Janie Cannady as well as David and Deborah Herring who are considered a part of their immediate family. She also cherished each and every one of her friendships. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

In addition to her parents and husband, Joyce is preceded in death by four of her siblings, James Barefoot, Henry Barefoot, Dick Hayes and Loretta Nelkin.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials may be made to Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church at 1481 Fleet Cooper Road, Roseboro, NC 28382 or to Community Home Care and Hospice at 2800 Breezewood Avenue, Suite 100, Fayetteville, NC 28303.

The family would like to give special thanks to Joyce’s home caregivers of Community Home Care and Hospice and all the support staff. She could not have had a more loving and caring staff taking care of her, especially in her last few weeks.

Royal-Hall is honored to serve the family of Joyce Keene.

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