Joyce Leona Flood Bell

Joyce Leona Flood Bell, 85, peacefully transitioned to eternal life on November 22, 2024, after an extended illness. Joyce entered this life on October 13, 1939, to the late James Flood and Rocky Lee Boyce Flood.

Joyce grew up with an extended family in Rich Square, North Carolina, where she spent many summers with aunts, uncles, and cousins. Joyce was born in Ghent on Langley Road, and later, the family moved to Cumberland Street in Norfolk, Virginia. Joyce attended all segregated schools in Norfolk, Virginia. She attended Armstrong Elementary School, Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary School, and Ruffner Junior High School and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in January 1958.

Two weeks after graduation, Joyce was hired at DePaul Hospital as a Nurse Aide and held that position for four years. Joyce was a hard worker with a great work ethic and was the first Black to be promoted to Unit Secretary and held that position for thirty-two years. She retired in 1994.

Joyce married the late Richard Bell; no children came from this union. Joyce was a loving daughter, sister, and aunt. She loved her family deeply with all her heart and enjoyed family time. She loved her nieces and nephews as if they were her very own children. She enjoyed taking them places, bringing them to visit relatives, babysitting, and dressing the girls up on holidays and any special occasion. She was hands-on with her nieces and nephews. Joyce was all about family and made it a point to visit and keep in touch with her family. She always went beyond the call of duty where her family was concerned.

Joyce had a lot of energy and appeared much younger than her years. She walked for exercise, worked part-time for six months at Piccadilly Restaurant in Norfolk, Virginia, did janitorial work for five years, and worked in the Food Court at Military Circle Mall, Norfolk, Virginia, for a year.

Even when her health was failing, Joyce showed amazing strength. Joyce lived faith, love, and hope. She continued to live on her own and proudly maintained and did chores. She did not want to burden her dear sister, Costella. Joyce got herself around town, too. She knew how to make transportation arrangements for wherever she needed to go.  Joyce had an excellent memory as well. She never forgot anyone’s birthday. When she was no longer able to mail cards, she made telephone calls to say Happy Birthday. Joyce was just a loving, thoughtful person who shared unconditional love for her family and all who knew her.

Joyce began to attend Calvary Revival Church under the leadership of Bishop B. Courtney McBath for many years.

Joyce was predeceased by her brothers Chester Flood, James Leon Flood, Sr., and Abdul Talib, her nephews Maurice L. Thompson, Jr., Pierre Ramone Dokes, and brother-in-law Leroy E. Beck, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving sister Costella Flood Beck, sister-in-law Lorraine K. Bullock and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

Joyce leaves behind a legacy of love, and as we celebrate her life, we must not forget the love she spread throughout her lifetime.

“Gone but never forgotten. “Joyce” will forever live in our hearts”.

A precious one from us is gone. A voice we love is stilled.

A place is vacant in our hearts. That never can be filled.