Joyce May Williams' Obituary
Joyce May Williams (née Wong Shui) passed away peacefully at her home in Miami on Monday, June 2, 2025. She is survived by her beloved husband, Winston Williams; her son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Myra Williams; her son-in-law, Jacob Rousseau; her grandchildren, Nicholas Rousseau, Lauren Rousseau, and Ryan Williams. She was also survived by her siblings Amy Hew, married to Lincoln Hew; her brother, Harding Wong Shui; sister Blossom Cooper; and sister-in-law Ena Chin.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Michelle Williams; her parents, Lennie Wong Shui and Mary Ho; her siblings, sister Dorris Wong Shui Chin and brother Herbert Wong Shui; and brother-in-law Ian Cooper.
Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Joyce grew up in her family’s local grocery store. She called herself a city girl — and Winston, her husband of 65 years, a country boy. The two met through friends, married in 1960, and later welcomed their children, Steve and Michelle.
Their journey took them from Jamaica to the Bahamas, then to New Jersey, and finally Miami, where Joyce spent the rest of her life supporting her family.
Joyce was a homemaker in every sense of the word — the heart of the home. She cooked for hours, often humming hymns as she prepared meals like fa chung (chinese sausage), rice balls, Jamaican jerk pork, and big breakfasts of porridge, eggs, pancakes, and bacon. She was always offering seconds, thirds, chasing after you to offer fourths.
“Have a bit more.”
“Eat up your food.”
“You look hungry.”
Food was her love language. And you never left her home empty handed.
She had a flair for fashion — especially heels and fine jewelry (never the fake costume ‘tings).
She started wearing heels at just 13 — going out to dance with friends. Even years later, many commended her skills. But her best skill? Joyce could talk. For hours and hours. About anything. Nothing was off the table, especially not religion and politics (her two favorite subjects). She was spirited, funny, and fiercely herself. She had a talent for making up silly new words — both in conversation and during competitive Scrabble games with her daughter and grandchildren — and was always ready to throw out a witty remark. She even fashioned new words in French — a language she did not speak.
She was loving and attentive and would sacrifice her own energy to give to others — especially her family. Her husband often shortened her name to Joy. And that’s exactly what she was. That’s exactly how she’ll be remembered.
What’s your fondest memory of Joyce?
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Share a story where Joyce's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joyce you’ll never forget.
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