Joyce Bell McGuire of Mooresville, N.C., beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the age of 78.
Born January 30, 1947, in Shelby, Joyce was the daughter of the late Odus Palmer and Myrtle Hull Bell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Priscilla Wray (Gene, deceased), and her brothers Steve Bell (Linnie) and Kenneth Bell (Carolyn).
Joyce met the love of her life, Burel Jerry McGuire, at East Carolina University, where they both studied music. She sought him out after hearing him play piano. They married on August 19, 1967, and moved to Mooresville in 1972. Together they raised three children, Margaret Flowers (James) of Spring Lake; Jenny McGuire of Greensboro; and Joe McGuire (Ashley) of Charlotte.
Joyce was instrumental in starting the music program at Mooresville Graded School District, where she taught music at South Elementary and at Woods School for many years. She then worked at Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation for three decades, beginning as a social worker, activity director, and in admissions. After earning her MBA/MHA from Pfeiffer University in the late 1990s, she served as the administrator for the remainder of her career. In addition to the Mooresville facility, she worked at Brian Center locations in Statesville, Monroe, and Winston-Salem.
Joyce was an accomplished vocalist and harpist, with a lifelong passion for learning to play instruments of all kinds. She and Jerry filled their home with music and often performed together at weddings and other events. She served as the church choir director — and he as the organist — at First Presbyterian, Triplett Methodist, St. Mark’s Lutheran, and Central Methodist in Mooresville and at Holy Trinity Lutheran in Troutman. She passed this love of music to her children and grandchildren.
Most of all, Joyce modeled the Greatest Commandment to love God and love people. She was constantly looking for ways to help and encourage others. She was always ready for a new adventure, whether “nana camp,” travel with family, or block parties with neighbors. She also enjoyed gardening, reading, and making quilts for people in need.
In addition to her husband and children, Joyce is survived by her grandchildren, Anne Marie Flowers and Timothy Flowers of Spring Lake, and David McGuire and John McGuire of Fort Myers, Fla.; brother Gary Bell (Karen) of Shelby; sisters-in-law Linnie Bell of Shelby, Janie Anderson of Greensboro, Patsy Reavis of High Point, Sandra Williard of High Point, and Debbie Simmons (Randy) of Thomasville; a host of special nieces and nephews; and her dog, Oreo, and grand-dog, Lucy.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 31, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Troutman.
Her family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all the nurses, physicians, and staff at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte and The Greens at Maple Leaf in Statesville; her church family; and her neighbors for their unwavering compassionate and supportive care. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 225 Morgan Street, Troutman, NC 28166.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the McGuire family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.