***UPDATE-original post had funeral in Leland, should have been Greenville
Funeral services for Joice Ann Showah, 77, of Hollandale will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 12, 2020 at Boone Funeral Home, Greenville. Joice finished her life’s journey and passed away peacefully on September 5, 2020 surrounded by her loving children while listening to Elvis Presley music. Burial will be in Hollandale Cemetery.
Joice was born on December 15, 1942 in Hollandale, MS to Mitchel and Mertice Jo Howell Showah.
Joice was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Elizabeth and Bit Showah. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Johnny and BJ Showah; daughter Ann Sammons and husband Bryan of Aubrey, TX; daughter Mary Summers-Wilkinson and husband JonMark of Amory, MS; son Mitchel Creel and Tracy Davis of Greenville, MS; daughter Jo Thompson and husband Jared of Huntsville, AL. Joice also had 15 grandchildren: Gracie Sammons, Faith Sammons, Jadon Sammons, Howard Summers, Joseph Summers, Genee Summers, Peyton Wilkinson, Kenlee Wilkinson, Garett Wilkinson, Jackson Creel, Oliver Creel, Brody Creel, Jocilen Thompson, Jorja Thompson, and Jacoby Thompson.
Joice grew up living the small town life as the daughter of a grocery store owner. She could tell you stories for hours about her time working in the store when she was young and the way her family used the store to care for those in the small town she forever called home. Joice was gifted with intelligence and musical talent which is what enabled her to play the saxophone in the high school band, starting in the third grade. Those same gifts can be seen in her grandchildren as well. Joice married the father of her children, James Ed Creel of Glen Allan, MS. on November 21, 1968. Although the two would later divorce, Joice and Ed remained life long friends having entertaining phone conversations on a daily basis.
Joice wrote for the Delta Democrat Times for many years and later selflessly worked as a legal assistant for 24 years before an accident forced her to retire in January of 2019. These careers allowed her to touch many peoples lives with her writing and her comforting disposition.
Joice enjoyed her children and grandchildren to the fullest. This last year she lived and traveled the country with her children and grandchildren; only God knew the blessing that this last year would be for her and the family. Joice loved her pets, being outside, and she truly enjoyed tending to her small vegetable garden and beautiful flowers. This was Joice’s way, to tend, prune, and expect growth, very similar to the way she raised four successful children. In addition to music, Joice loved dance and was often seen dancing in family videos from touristy Honky Tonks in Colorado to the Blue’s Festival in Hollandale. Joice also loved conversation with family or anyone she met, there were no “strangers”. She could talk to anyone (and I mean anyone) and about any topic that could come up. Above all else Joice (“MawMaw” to most) loved everyone and wanted all to feel included and loved. Gone too soon, you will be greatly missed.
There will be a visitation from 1:00-2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 12 at the funeral home in Greenville.