Rock Hill, SC – Mrs. Candace Athene Joldersma, 48, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 holding Matt’s hand.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732. A service celebrating the life of Candy will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at West End Baptist Church, 1727 McConnells Hwy, Rock Hill, SC 29732. Burial will be private. After the service there will be food and fellowship, all are welcome at Neely’s Creek ARP Church, 974 Neelys Creek Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730.
Born in Chelsea, AL, Candy was the daughter of Robert Ray Shirley and Cecilia Taylor Shirley. She was a graduate of Warner University in Lake Wales, FL. After graduation, Candy worked in the University’s Admissions and Recruitment office. Later she worked as a Social Worker with the Lake Wales Care Center. God equipped Candy with the heart of a servant. She found her passion in both church & mission work. God used Candy as a shepherdess, bringing so many to himself and into fellowship at both the Neely’s Creek and the Lake Wales churches. Candy participated in B.S.F. (Bible Study Fellowship) and led M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers) at her home churches of Neely’s Creek ARP and 1st ARP Lake Wales, respectively. Together with her husband the Reverend Matt Joldersma they were blessed to do mission work in multiple places around the globe. She especially cherished the times she was able to serve in Rwanda. The people in Rwanda, especially the children, left an indelible imprint on her heart. Candy was also a born hostess. The Joldersma home had the proverbial revolving door which was continually open to multitudes of friends, family & even a stranger here and there. Candy had a gentle heart, was full of grace and everyone she met could feel her love for them and for the Lord.
Candy is survived by her husband of 23 years, Matt Joldersma; their children, Callie, Pippin and Iann; her parents, Robert and Cecilia Shirley; her brother, Robert Lamar Shirley of Ragland, AL and nieces, Victoria, Cleyera and Amaryllis Shelby-Shirley.
Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers in Candy’s name to the Joldersma Family at www.neelyscreek.com/giving or to World Witness at www.worldwitness.org.