SOUTHPORT — Joyce Kennedy Martz, 84 of Bolivia, North Carolina, passed away on June 17, 2024.
Joyce was born September 11, 1939 in Norfolk, Virginia, daughter of the late Maurice and Margaret Kennedy. She was one of five children. In addition to being a wonderful Mother and Grandmother, Joyce worked many careers in her lifetime. She was one of the first women working on the manufacturing line at Rockwell Manufacturing in Ohio, assembling two-ton truck axles. Graduating from Gilford College in 1984 with a Graphics Arts degree, she and her late brother Billy, started ESP Magazine in Greensboro, NC. She was the Publications Manager at Offit Publishing, producing 17 weekly home listings magazines.
After moving to Southport, NC, she was President of the Franklin Square Art Gallery, an office admin for a veterinarian’s office, and a caretaker for home health services. Her last career she was a super star customer service agent for mypetchicken.com
At her core Joyce was an artist, she was a pianist, painter, and a poet. She enjoyed creating art across these mediums and deeply admired others’ artwork and creations. She met with her dear friends, The Poets, for 35 years weekly to gather in friendship and discuss their favorite poetry. She loved to garden and spent many hours cultivating a flower garden on her farm and filling her home with art. From childhood Joyce had an incredible affinity for horses, Joyce showed Paso Finos at the national level competitions and for many years in local parades. Always with her community of incredible horse riding friends, she rode in the Uwharrie mountains, and local trails as well as three Montana cattle drives. She had many animal companions in her life, notably her horses Briosa and Margarita, her chicken, Lenore and she spent her final few years with her pup Lilly at her side.
Joyce was effervescent, creative, strong and incredibly kind. She had deep love and pride for her family and all of their accomplishments. Joyce was a captivating story teller around the dinner table or the bonfire and would often have her friends howling with laughter at her adventures. To know Joyce was an honor and privilege for all who loved her.
Survivors include her four children, Brian W. Martz, Bruce W. Martz and wife Cheryl, Steven J. Martz and wife Lisa, and Stacy H. Radovich; four grandchildren, Thomas, Shelby, Emily, and Benjamin; and five great-grandchildren, Jubal, Sophia, Sylvia, Calliope, and Serenity, and her ten nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard C. Martz.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be made here.
