Joyce Elaine Fowler, 69, of Mebane, NC, died on Friday, May 1, 2020 of the COVID-19 virus at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC. She was born July 31, 1950 in Battle Creek, MI, to Katherine and Preston Wesley Watkins, Sr. She was married to James Fowler, her longtime soulmate of 50+ years on July 20, 1967. From this union, they had two daughters; Marian (William) Graves of Mebane, NC, Janice Robinson of Marietta, GA; and one son; Robert Fowler of Dallas, TX. Joyce also had one special daughter, LaShonia Mabin of Covington, GA. Joyce grew up in Battle Creek, MI, all of her childhood life. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with her General Education Diploma, and Kellogg Community College. She loved to cook, crochet, go camping, singing in the Upton Avenue Original Church of God Choir, spending time with her brothers and sisters, and taking care of her family. When the youngest of Joyce's children turned five, Joyce went to work in nursing services at the American Legion of Battle Creek. Shortly thereafter, Joyce began her 17+ year career at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Battle Creek and Saginaw, MI where she worked in nursing services. Because of her magnetic personality, she earned awards for outstanding patient care. Furthering her nursing career in Georgia (1994), she worked in the Cobb WellStar Healthcare System where she retired after 17+ years, earning more recognition for patient care. Joyce was a wonderful soul. She was a caring sister, loving, kind, fun, sassy, a wonderful wife, a great mother, and a good friend. Before earning her Heavenly wings on May 1, Joyce took ill in 2017 after surgery to remove benign brain tumors. During her illness, she was cared for by her daughter in North Carolina, where she resided at Signature Healthcare of Chapel Hill. Although Joyce was ill, she developed loving relationships with the nursing staff who took care of her as if she were their own family member, even threw her illness with the Coronavirus. Joyce sang "Oh How I Love Jesus" during her last visit to the ICU which was not like other hospital visits, so we know she was comforted by our Heavenly father during her COVID-19 illness and eternal transition. Joyce is survived by her children (above), three brothers: Preston Wesley (Splick) Watkins, Ralph Watkins (Grand Rapids, MI), and Franklin Cross, Jr., and one devoted sister; Christina Marie Payne, of Battle Creek. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends. Joyce was preceded in death by one son, James Fowler, Jr., who died at birth. She was also preceded in death by her mother; Katherine (Wanzer) Cross; father, Preston Wesley Watkins, Sr., and another loving sister, Mary Elizabeth (Watkins) Fowler. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 8 at 1:00pm, EST, at Upton Avenue Original Church of God, 270 Upton Avenue, Battle Creek, MI. This service will be streamed through Facebook Live. A second memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 9 at 1:30pm, EST, at Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA. This service will be streamed in consideration of Coronavirus restrictions at https://www.youtube.com; search for 718 Bible Study. The link will be live at appx. 1:15pm. Please visit Perry J. Brown Funeral Home, Greensboro, NC https://perryjbrownfuneralhome.com/ for guest book signing. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the General Baptist Convention of North Carolina, Inc., at https://www.gbsconline.org.