Barbara Joyce-Pryor

Barbara Ann Joyce-Pryor of Reidsville, North Carolina, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on July 23, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Lawsonville Road Baptist Church with Rev. Ron Tuck officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service starting at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery.

Born on January 27, 1941, in Madison, North Carolina. Barbara lived a life defined by faith, service, and love for others. She was a devoted member of her church, where she faithfully worshipped for many years. If the church doors were open, Barbara could be found sitting in her usual pew, a quiet testament to her unwavering commitment to God and her church family.

Barbara’s love for the Lord and teaching were her priorities in life. She taught Sunday school for more than 50 years, sharing God's love with generations of young people. She also worked in the daycare program at Community Baptist School, where her gentle spirit and caring heart touched countless families. Her dedication to serving others extended beyond the church as she also volunteered to assist with local elections, always believing in giving back to her community.

She found great joy in her family, her beloved dogs, and the many granddogs that brought smiles to her days. Barbara will be remembered for her humble heart, generosity, honesty, sweetness, quiet strength, and, at times, her well-known stubbornness. She was a role model whose life demonstrated faithfulness, kindness, and selfless love.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, McKinley and Carrie Adkins; husbands, James Joyce and Kenneth Pryor; her siblings Lawrence (Goober) Adkins, and Donald Adkins.

She is survived by her daughters, Lea Anna Elliott and Mary Joyce Wheeler; her grandchildren, Hillary Doran (Steven), Brandon Wheeler (Emily), Zachary and Kaitlyn Pryor; and her stepson Kip Pryor (Holly). She also leaves behind many extended family members, friends, fur babies, and her cherished church family, all of whom will miss her deeply.

Barbara's legacy is one of steadfast faith, quiet service, and unconditional love. The seeds she planted through decades of teaching children, serving her church, and caring for those around her will continue to bear fruit for generations to come. Though she will be greatly missed, those who knew and loved her find comfort in knowing her faithful journey has led her home.