Joyce Lee Giles

Joyce Lee Giles, 62 of Madison Heights, departed this life on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Fairmont Health and Rehab Center in Amherst. Born in Charlottesville, November 30, 1962, she was the daughter of the late William McKinley Essex and Hazel Marie Toliver Essex.

Joyce was a licensed Drug and Substance Abuse Counselor and Mental Health Behavior Specialist. She was an active member of Tree of Life Ministries in Campbell County. Joyce served as a Greeter/Usher until her health declined.

Joyce loved her family and kindred. She was especially blessed and honored to be “Auntie” to her nieces and nephews. She was also blessed to be a grandmother and great-grandmother, to Makiah and Kai Kai, respectively. Joyce loved the Lord, and her prayer has and always shall be, “Lord, Your will be done.”

She leaves to cherish her memories, her son, Walter Edward Giles; her brother, Aaron Walter Essex; her sister, Rev. Dr. Hazel Annette Diggs; three sisters-in-law, Samantha White Essex, Diane Giles, and Diane Allen Essex; two nephews, Herschel Diggs and Isaiah Essex; two nieces, Terise White Essex and Jessica “J.J.” Johnson; a great nephew, Malachi Herschel Diggs; two brothers-in-law, Eddie Giles, and Wayne Giles; a special and loving mother-in-law, Deaconess Jessie Toliver; one grandson, Walter Makiah McDaniels; one great-granddaughter, Kai Kai McDaniels and her mother, Alaina; a special friend and adopted daughter, Letitia “Tee Dee” Murphy, and a host of other relatives, kindred, and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lewis Edward Giles; her brother, William McDonald Essex "Mack", and her brothers-in-law, Sam Hersey Diggs, and Nathaniel Giles.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, September 13 at Byrum-Parr Funeral Home by Minister Mary Diggs, officiating, and Pastor Ray Kingrea, eulogist. Burial will follow in Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Viewing begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning at the funeral home.