Joyce Aileen Chandler Reels was born in Barbados, West Indies, to the late Keith Mortimer Chandler and Millicent Eileen Chandler. She is the fourth of seven children born to this union. Joyce spent her early childhood in Barbados where she attended St. Alban’s Elementary School and Springer Memorial Secondary School. In 1968, Joyce immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts to live with her aunt, Miriam Chandler. In Boston, she attended Girls’ High School and earned her undergraduate degree in education from Boston College. She was a substitute teacher in the Boston Public Schools for several years. Later, Joyce worked at Fireman’s Fund as a Personal Lines Underwriter. She was employed by H & R Block as well.
In 1982, Joyce was blessed to marry Thomas Reels, Jr. (Tom was attracted to her dimpled smile.) They lived in Boston, Massachusetts and later moved to Ledyard and Mystic, Connecticut. Since the beginning of their marriage, her husband Tom devotedly cared for her during her numerous illnesses for 28 years. His sacrifice of love for Joyce was shown in his willingness to be trained to provide home hemodialysis for her to avoid tedious and stressful trips to the kidney center. Despite her medical problems, Joyce was a motivator for Tom and encouraged him to go to college. She gave him the confidence that he needed to succeed.
The Lord blessed Joyce to have a successful kidney transplant in 2001, and she was able to live a fuller and more fruitful life. Joyce loved eating, shopping and cooking, and she could be seen watching the cooking channel on a daily basis and trying new recipes. She loved to cook barbecued ribs, rice and peas, and corn on the cob, and to her husband’s delight – homemade apple pie. Red Lobster, Applebee’s and Cedar’s Steak House were her favorite restaurants. She also loved cruises, and she and Tom traveled to many islands in the Caribbean together. Their many trips to Disney brought out the “kid” in her. Joyce enjoyed a loving relationship with her siblings, nieces and nephews and her husband’s family, and brought the two families together for many celebrations. Joyce brought joy to all, and both families loved, supported and cared for her right up to the end. Her love for the color purple extended to her wardrobe, all the rooms in her home, and even her husband’s suits, shirts and ties.
Church life was of utmost importance to Joyce, and she showed her love for the Lord by working in His vineyard. While living in Boston, she attended First Church of God and served as the church secretary and assistant director of the day care center. In Ledyard, Connecticut, Joyce attended New Life Christian Fellowship, Inc. for 19 years and served as an usher, Sunday School teacher, Superintendent of Sunday School, and a member of the Women’s Group. Joyce was one of the first graduates of the Church’s first Ministers in Training (MIT), an extensive Bible Study curriculum. She coordinated many programs and events including Black History Month celebrations, Vacation Bible School, and the Christmas Banquet. She especially loved teaching and working with the children.
She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory her husband, Thomas Reels, Jr.; six siblings: Jeffrey Lincoln Chandler, I (Lilly) of St. Thomas, V.I., Barbara “Pat” Bryan of Cambridge, MA, Janice Cumberbatch (Dennis) of Manchester, CT, Greta Thomas (Rudolph) of Hyde Park, MA, Nelleen Chandler Knight of Hyde Park, MA, and Margaret Green (Richard) of Chesapeake, VA; She will also be mourned by a host of nephews and nieces; mother-in-law Juanita Reels; father-in-law Thomas Reels, Sr.; brothers-in-law Stewart, Kenneth, Wayne, Ronald and Timothy; and sisters-in-law Coriene, Juanita, Annette, Kim, Phyllis, Roxanne, and Heather.
Joyce's family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday from 10 to 11am at New Life Christian Fellowship Church, 1729 Center Groton Road (Route 117), Ledyard immediately followed by a funeral service at 11:30am. Burial will follow in Avery-Stoddard Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the National Kidney Foundation Serving New England, 85 Astor Avenue, Suite 2, Norwood, MA 02062-5040.
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