| Joyce Ann Sigmon Benfield |
Joined the other Classmates' Spirits in the Sky on
July 13, 2007 9:30pm
Lee and Mary Beth Brandt were in Canada when they learned of
Joyce's passing and expressed their condolences through e-mail
to Randy.
2005
She will be remembered. She will live on in the hearts of
everyone who loved her. So many thoughts and too few words with sympathy. We
miss her very much and miss her jokes.
Randy, Prez
November 1969 Class Trip to Florida
I remember her as a very jovial person, always a jokester.
During the Tall Tales portion of our 35th Class Reunion, she animatedly
reminisced an adventure that Louise, Steve, and herself only knew. During our
Class trip to Florida, we had a 'free night out'. During a walk in downtown St.
Augustine, they went into what they thought was a bar and grill for a coke.
After they sat down at a table, Steve was constantly looking past Louise's and
Joyce's shoulders ignoring their conversations. When the waitress showed up they
ordered coke, and the puzzled waitress said the only soft drinks they had was
7-Up and Ginger Ale but beer was the main drinks that they served. Joyce and
Louise looked at Steve, who was still ignoring them, turned around to see what
Steve was looking at. Topless dancers! They accidentally walked into a Topless
Bar! Up and out they went but they had to hold Steve's hand to walk out as he
was still looking towards the direction of the topless dancers.
Joyce had many stories to tell and you always had to be on the
lookout as they might be jokes. She will be missed, not just because of her
comedic personality but, because she was a warm and caring person.
Lester Latkowski
1999
Queen of the Road!
35th Class Reunion
1994
Making friends for the world to see
Let the people know you got what you need
With a friend at hand you will see the light
If your friends are there then everything's all right
It seems to me a crime that we should age
These fragile times should never slip us by
A time you never can or shall erase
As friends together watch our childhoods fly
Lyrics from Elton John - Friends
1964
A beautiful piece that you wrote about Joyce -
The laughter has gotten a little quieter on this side whereas it has gotten a
little louder on the other side. Now I know they are welcoming Joyce and are
looking forward to many more laughers to come - over there...
Till then friend, take care,
Anonymous
Update - November 30, 2008 - New photos
David Frye somehow lost these pictures of Joyce's funeral services
taken on July 16, 2007. On November 25, 2008, someone sent these same photos to
him, which he in turn forwarded to us, as promised. I have interspersed these
pictures in Mr. Frye's original e-mail below and I want to thank David Frye for
thinking of us when he received these photos - Lester
E-Mail Received from David Frye:
July 17, 2007
Dear Lester & the Class of 1970:
The memorial services of Joyce Ann Sigmon Benfield was a very lovely one as of about 100 or more people attended the services to pay their final respects to her. Jessie O. Bowman (above) did a very magnificent job in the audience telling them what a very loving and caring person Joyce was. Faye, Betty, Roy (Joyce's brother and sisters, below) really appreciated the memorial services for Joyce. :-)
Ray Branch was the only one from the Class of 1970 in whom he had attended there
with his wife, Debra. As I can comprehend that it was a long distance driving
for those who lives far out from Hickory, NC. I am sure in my heart and mind
that Joyce can comprehend this. :-) Joyce really loves you all with her heart
and she misses you all, too!
Alas, Joyce's family wanted me to mention you all for doing a great job for the
Class of 1970 Memorial pages along with Kenneth Lowe, Lewis Suggs, Frances
Yeargan as well as Joyce Sigmon.
Here is the address in which cards and money (if like) can be sent to in a
appreciation thoughtful way to:
Faye Ritch, 2322 Starbrooke Drive, Newton, NC 28658. :-)
I will forward you a picture or 2 when I do get a hold of my friends in whom
Joyce had met Dale Jarrett in person, the NASCAR driver that drives the UPS car
#44. She was also a NASCAR fan of Ryan Newman in whom he drives the #12 Alltel car.
:-)
Well....you all take care now and do hope to see you all again very
soon....(hopefully at NCSD's Homecoming game in October). May Godspeed on each
of you of the Class of 1970 and do hope to hear from you soon.
Love,
David P. Frye, Hickory, NC (Class of 1971)
This page was last updated on 03/23/2011.
