Joyce G. Pickett

JOYCE GERALDINE PICKETT was born May 4,1940, in Harlem, New York to the late Real and Elma Kelley. She received her formal education in the Trenton School System. Joyce married Kirtist Pickett, Sr. in 1960, and was a wonderful mother to Carmen, Kirtist, Jr., and Jenise.

JOYCE'S CHRISTIAN WALK Joyce loved the Lord and always strived to live her life according to His Word. From childhood she was a long-standing member of the Friendship Baptist Church and served in various ministries including the Usher Board, the Floral Club and the Golden Community. Joyce enthusiastically embraced the teachings of Pastor Dharius and Lady Shameka Daniels and moved membership later in life to Change Church.

JOYCE'S WORK LIFE Joyce was employed as a seamstress at East Wind Manufacturing Company for 35 years. While there she always advocated for workers' rights and became a union shop steward. She retired from East Wind in 1989. Joyce was then employed at Trenton Textiles as a commercial housekeeper for ten years and retired. Next, she worked at Lord & Taylor on their maintenance staff and retired after 13 years. In 2009 Joyce began working for Aramark as a food service worker and retired in 2020.

JOYCE'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS Joyce loved her family and embraced them wholeheartedly. She was a great sister, mom, auntie, grandma, great-grandma, godmother, friend, neighbor, co-worker, encourager, motivator, and listener to many. Following the passing of her siblings, Joyce loved on her nieces and nephews even more and treated them as her own children. She earned the nickname "Jazzy Joyce" for her impeccable, classy style and her outfit coordination. She traveled a lot, and loved musicals, plays and shopping. Joyce loved children and hosted kid's parties that included crafts, activities, and nobody could make a goodie snack bag like Aunt Joyce!

Joyce was a strong organizer, committee worker, and community supporter. She was a part of the Parham-Watson-Kelley Family Reunion Committee, a parent teacher at Young Scholars, served on the Urban League (particularly the Gentlemen's Ball), in 2001 received the Bronzettes Mother of the Year Award and the City of Trenton Outstanding Community Service Award, volunteered her home as a local election polling place and participated in many other civic organizations. She was a heavily involved parent and grandparent ... if Grandma Joyce knew about it, she would be there!

Joyce became ill, and her health deteriorated rapidly. Although we didn't want her to suffer any longer, she left us too soon on Sunday, August 20,2023, when she passed away at Serenity Hospice. 

In addition to her parents, and former spouse Kirtist Pickett, Sr.,Joyce will also be reunited with siblings who preceded her in death: twins Doris Odell Kelley & Dorothy Adell Kelley, sisters Barbara Jean Kelley, Karen Kelley Davis, brothers Leonard Kelley and Kenneth Kelley, and Aunt Thelma Lightner.

Joyce's memory will be cherished and forever remembered by her sisters: J. Delores Baker of Ewing, NJ, Patricia Taylor of Trenton, Gloria Kelley-Williams of West Trenton, sisters-in-loves Kim Kelley of Trenton, Margaret Addie of Birmingham, AL, and Willie Belle Riley of Claremont, CA; Children Carmen Steward of Riverside CA, Kirtist Pickett, Jr. and Jenise Pickett of Trenton NJ; grandchildren Darryl Pickett, Ronnette Pickett, Aingyea Fraser (Kevin), Nyiasia Bratcher (G. Anthony), Emir Davis (Amber), Leslie Steward, Brandon Pickett, Jaini McLean; great-grandchildren Omare Perkins, Olivia Perkins, Kahlil Mangham, Maniah Pickett, Darius Burgess, Xavier Pickett, Alexander Pickett, Zoe Bratcher, Aiva Steward-Walker, Kevin Z. Fraser, Brandon Pickett, Jr., Karson Fraser, and an enormous amount of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Funeral service will be 11am September 1, 2023 at Change Church, 200 Ludlow Dr., Ewing, NJ 08638.  Calling hours will be 9am until time of service. Interment will be at Ewing Cemetery, Ewing, NJ. Arrangements are by Hughes Funeral Home. 

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