Joyce Ann Holt

I, Joyce Ann Holt, lived my life my way. Depending on who you ask, they may tell you I loved deeply with a hug and a kiss or a hated shove and a kick. I may or may not have thrown in a bite or two. But I will take that information to the grave with me. I would do anything to protect those I loved. It may have been stabbing a kid with a hat pin on the school bus because he teased my sister Sharon. I may have also chased my ex brother-in-law with a broom handle because he wasn’t good enough to be with my baby sister. The only thing that rivaled my need to protect, was my red-haired temper. I may have been tiny, but I created the saying that I am fierce! I don’t want to be remembered as a saint. I was far from it. If you fell I was definitely laughing at the expense of your pride. Of course, I would eventually help you when I could pick myself up off the ground. I cussed and enjoyed every time the “F” word rolled off my tongue. There was no better way for me to express my happiness, anger, or opinion than a good “fuck.” I have been a wife, a mother, a nana, friend, and more. Every role I can say I kicked tail on some days and didn't on others. I always wondered if I was enough and felt I could always do better, be better. It took me dying to realize that I was loved beyond measure. In the end, I knew I got it right. I lived two lives. -Part one was a wife in domesticated bliss. I say this with a shitload of sarcasm. I loved being married, but marriage didn’t love me. I never found the happiness in that life that I craved and it haunted me. In many ways my heart never recovered. I left part one behind after several years of grief and started rebuilding myself. -Part two was amazing. I lived every day to make myself happy. Money was always a stresser, but damn I had so many fun times. I made new friends-young and old. I danced the night away whenever I got the chance. I played in the dirt with my grandbabies and rode four wheelers with my sisters. I took the time to enjoy the trips, the bike rides, and the laughter with my friends and family. God I loved to laugh. When I did it, you laughed with me. I’ve been an asshole and a sweetheart. I had fun being both. I heard a saying once about arriving at the golden gates all used up and nothing left. Well I did that. Rest assured, my lungs took in every breath with determination to make each one count. My legs danced until they no longer held me up. My heart loved so hard for the people I was leaving behind that it took its last beat in my daughter’s hand. My daughter, the love of my life, will never know what it felt to not be loved by me. I loved her enough that it will last until I see her again. I would have to leave off that my greatest accomplishments are her and my grandbabies. If I taught them anything, I hope it’s that life is meant to be lived to the fullest and laughter will help in any situation..and if it needs it, drama can be fun if it is shortlived. Most of all I hope that everyone knows, I loved this life of mine and I am definitely laughing and dancing waiting on you. Simpsonville, SC -- Joyce Ann Holt passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the age of 69 years old. She was the daughter of the late Clyde and Betty Mae McCollum. Joyce is survived by her daughter, Crystal Beck (Scott Shelton); her granddaughters, Caitlyn Phillips (Julian Conrad) and Mary-Kathryn Sanders; her grandson, Nicholas Sanders; her great-grandchildren, Sebastien Thomason, Zoe Thomason, Andrea Moore, Alex Moore, and Madison Conrad; her sisters, Glenda Davis, Sharon Blalock (Roger), Regina Rampey (Daryl), and Ann Bowersock; her nieces and nephews, Michele Davis, Michael Blalock, Cliff Roberts, Michael Davis, and Stacey Somerel; as well as many great nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 5:00 PM at Earle Saint Baptist Church. A memorial service will begin at 6:00 PM.

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Joyce Ann Holt

August 7, 1954 - December 7, 2023