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No one who ever sat in a Sunday school class or a Bible study led by Mary Joyce Walters ever forgot the experience or was ever the same afterwards. No one ever held a conversation with her without coming away feeling stronger and somehow cared for. She did what the Bible said and edified every person she dealt with. She brought God’s grace to every encounter.
All of those people she cared for, all of the people she worked with and the town of Magee itself lost a friend when Mary Joyce Stephens Walters died Sunday, February 21, 2021 in Magee at the age of 90. Today she is enjoying eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven.
A graveside service and celebration of the life of Mary Joyce Walters will be held Thursday, February 25, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Magee City Cemetery.
Mary Joyce was born in Magee on August 30, 1930. She graduated from Magee High School and attended Women’s College before marrying Buddy Walters on May 2, 1948. Following the death of her father, Mary Joyce and Buddy took over the ownership and operation of O. L. Stephens Department Store in downtown Magee and ran the business for many years. Later Mary Joyce opened The Rose, a popular ladies apparel shop in Magee. She also owned and operated Milady’s, a second ladies apparel shop in Forest.
Mary Joyce loved her hometown and worked tirelessly to make it a place that others would love too. She put her energy into promoting Magee. She was a member of the Magee Chamber of Commerce, becoming its first woman president in 1994. She and Buddy brought the idea of Crazy Day to Magee, promoted it and lived to see it become the town’s largest special event. After the Stephens Store closed, she renovated it and turned it into the Magee Antique Mall, which attracted customers not just from Magee but from surrounding areas as well. For her tireless efforts on behalf of this community, the Chamber of Commerce named her Citizen of the Year.
Mary attended First Baptist Church of Magee, where she taught Sunday school lessons to dozens of women over the years, encouraging them to trust God and believe His word. She led regular Bible studies in her home that drew women from other towns and other denominations. Everyone was welcome, and everyone was loved when they got there.
Mary Joyce loved her community, her church and the women who attended her Sunday school classes and Bible studies. She loved her family and was proud of every single member of it. Most of all, she loved God and is rejoicing in His presence today.
Mary Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Myrtis and O. L. Stephens; a brother, Robert Stephens; a son, Mike Walters; and her husband of 57 years, Buddy Walters, who passed away on November 17, 2005.
She is survived by her daughters Joycelyn Blackwell and husband Bernie of Magee and Alice Mitchell of Gulfport; a sister, Gwen Dukes of Clinton; eight grandchildren including Alise Blackwell Acker of Columbus, Jonathan Blackwell and wife Beth, Phillip Blackwell and wife Eden, and Caleb Blackwell, all of Jackson, Aubrey Mitchell and wife Jill of Biloxi, Jenny Mitchell-Strong and husband Audie of Salt Lake City, Utah, Michael Mitchell and wife Katie of Madison and Michelle Rankin and husband John of Flowood; great-grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Acker of New Jersey, Anna Acker and Eli Acker of Oxford, Georgia Mitchell and Walt Mitchell of Madison, Anders Mitchell and Miles Mitchell of Biloxi, Mary Margaret Rankin, Elliot Rankin, Murray Rankin and Will Rankin, all of Flowood, Cora Blackwell and Margot Blackwell of Jackson.
Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons Jonathan Blackwell, Aubrey Mitchell, Michael Mitchell, Phillip Blackwell, Caleb Blackwell and great-grandson Eli Acker.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Magee or to the charity of the donor’s choice. They also ask that those who attend the services practice social distancing and wear masks.
The family would like to say “Thank you!” to the management and staff of Lakeview Assisted Living Center for the love and wonderful care they gave “Ms. Mary Joyce” while she lived there for the last year and a half.
Arrangements are entrusted with Tutor Funeral Home of Magee.
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Mary Joyce’s smile says it all. She was so lovely. Her love for the Lord was wonderful. Your mother and father were precious. Many, many remembrances are about them. Love to the family.