Joyce Hardin Brown
November 17, 1946 ~ May 24, 2020
Born in:
Asheville, NC
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Joyce Hardin Brown, age 73, of Long Shoals Road, passed away Sunday, May 24, 2020.
Mrs. Brown was born November 17, 1946 in Asheville, NC. She attended the University of North Carolina – Asheville and graduated with degrees in both Psychology and Education. She taught at A.C. Reynolds Middle School from 1980 to 2004. Mrs. Brown began her career as a Science teacher and transitioned to Language Arts a few years later. While at ACRMS, Mrs. Brown also served as a student adviser for various after school activities, including teams for Odyssey of the Mind. She enjoyed teaching and working with young people and strove to treat them all with respect and kindness. She was beloved by many and inspired some to enter into careers in Education themselves.
She was a daughter of the late Warren G. Hardin, Sr. and Virginia Morgan Hardin. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Cathy Hardin, infant brother, Jimmy Hardin and granddaughter, Abigail Guill.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Michael D. Brown; daughter, Michele Guill (Charles) of St. Louis, Missouri; brother, Warren G. Hardin, Jr. of Mills River; brother Daniel Hardin of Leicester; sister-in-law, Judy Garren of Arden, several nieces and nephews and many friends. Mrs. Brown is also survived by her grandchildren, Meredith, Austin and Brady Guill, who knew her as “Grandee” and meant everything to her.
A private memorial service will be held. However, a public celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, a local animal rescue organization or the charity of your choice.
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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I don’t have the words for this, but here goes. . . Joyce Brown was so special to me. I know that we all have people who we can point to that we met at a formative time in our lives who fundamentally changed who we are. If we are lucky, it’s for the better. Joyce Brown was one of those people for me. When I first met Mrs. Brown, I was in middle school at ACRMS, where she was a teacher. I was trying to figure out who I wanted to be and was making some pretty dumb choices while exploring my options. Let’s just say I could be sort of obnoxious and spent plenty of time in detention. So many teachers saw this part of me and wrote me off right away. She didn’t. She didn’t bristle at the heavy metal t-shirts I wore and the scary band slogans I wrote on my notebooks like so many other teachers. You know what she did instead? She talked to me. She looked past all the walls I was trying to put up around myself and talked to me like a person. It wasn’t just “SIT DOWN AND BE QUIET!” She asked me about myself and told me about herself. I learned that she adored her family even though it was tough sometimes (at a time when I was butting heads with mine, this was so important to hear). I learned that she had a wicked sense of humor and a joy for life (who knew teachers could be real people?). And I learned that she knew how to practice forgiveness. She saw the worst of me and always gave me another chance when it seemed like so many adults were just yelling at me. She guided me to be myself in a way that was nurturing and I never felt like she was trying to force me to be anything but a better version of myself. She valued my creativity and quirkiness in a way that I wasn’t used to and found ways to nurture that in me as my teacher, my OM coach, and as my friend. Thanks, Lady Brown, for helping me find my voice. I love you.
And to Mike and Michelle and all of her family, the Loves are sending you love during this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Carolyn Brown and family
Michele, Mike and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. I know how devastating it is to lose your Mom. Her legacy lives on in you and the many lives she touched. Keeping you all in my prayers.
Michelle, keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
My deepest sympathy for your loss.
Mike we were saddened to see this obituary today. We haven’t seen you guys in many many years, but well remember Joyce’s sweet smile and ways. She always had a way of making us feel very comfortable and it was a pleasure being around her. We will never forget Joyce. May God bless you, your daughter and her family during this time.
Mike, Michelle and family – I was sad to learn of Joyce’s passing. As I remembered so of the times we shared a meal or a visit I had lots of smiles. Know you are each in our thoughts and prayers. Love to each of you –
Al and Cathy (Henderson) Seal
Mike and Michelle, I was heartbroken to hear of Joyce’s passing. As a fellow science teacher at ACRMS, she was always an inspiration to me. She was so full of laughter, and had such a personal way with her students. She shared teaching ideas and support that helped me be a better teacher. I will always remember her with love. Prayers.