Joyce Soprano Creech, 96, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2024 at Harbor Chase of Rock Hill surrounded by members of her family.
Born on August 29, 1927 in Allentown, Pennsylvania to Augustus and Mildred Soprano, Joyce was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. As valedictorian of her graduating class, she was always known for her quick wit, intelligent conversations, and skilled business acumen. Her scholarship offers for nursing school were interrupted by World War II and led to her meeting a handsome young soldier from North Carolina who became her husband after the war ended. Joyce’s husband of 73 years idolized her from the moment they first met and throughout the years as they built a life and family together. Joyce was preceded in death by her forever loving husband, James Albert Creech, and her youngest daughter, Jerri Buck (Glenn), as well as her three sisters June, Mercedes, and Gloria.
Throughout her life, Joyce touched the lives of many with her multifaceted abilities as a seamstress which included everything from beautiful clothing for her daughters, professional draperies, and intricate Barbie doll clothing for each of her daughters’ collections. She also created and sewed Baptismal gowns for each of her grandchildren. She was truly most happy when seated at her sewing machine, surrounded by various bolts of fabric that had been carefully chosen for future creations.
In her spare time, Joyce enjoyed taking time to read, crochet, knit, and try other crafts. She loved classical and operatic music but never liked television. When her husband retired, they enjoyed cruising to places that included Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean as well as river cruises in Europe. Like her mother, Joyce was quite adept at card and board games. Because of her competitive nature and wily strategy with games, she could easily defeat others who thought they were experts. Joyce truly left a lasting impression on all she met along the way.
Joyce is survived by daughters Jeannine Weeks (Paul) of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Jamie Reinsch (John) of Rock Hill, SC who will always have cherished memories of times growing up in the home she managed for the family. Joyce is also survived by grandchildren James Weeks (Erica), Catherine Weeks, Justin Buck (Carrington), and Kathleen Wilkerson, as well as her great-grandson, Declan Buck. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten by her family and friends.
The Creech family would like to acknowledge the excellent care, compassion, and individual attention she and her family received from the staff at Harbor Chase of Rock Hill. We would also like to thank Providence Hospice for their dedication and exemplary care during her final transition.
Following her wishes, a private celebration of her life will be held on a future date determined by the family. The family also wishes to thank Greene Funeral Home for their help and guidance in meeting her final wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Providence Hospice (500 Lakeshore Parkway, Rock Hill, SC 29730) in her honor.