Joyce H. (Harvey) Ware

Celebration of Life For

Joyce Harvey Ware

Joyce H. Ware, of Clearwater, Florida was born on May 16, 1933 in Dunedin, Florida to Richard and Myna Harvey.  She went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 31, 2021. Joyce was the eldest of eight children. Growing up, she stayed close to her mother and helped raise her siblings, which led to special bonds with each of her brothers and sister. Joyce lived a full life as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Always mature, hardworking, and determined Joyce had a 40-year career with the Pinellas County School Board. She was skilled in business administration and served as secretary at Ridgecrest Elementary School and over time was promoted to Executive Secretary for the district’s Pupil Assignment Office. Joyce retired from Pinellas County Schools in 1995. In retirement, Joyce authored two books and was working on a third book detailing her life.

Joyce was a strong woman of faith and was actively involved in her church. She offered her time, talent, and treasure as financial secretary/treasurer. She also enjoyed planning and coordinating events. In her later years, she was a faithful member and Steward Pro-Tem at St James AME Church under Reverend Alethea V. Winston.

Joyce has left a lasting impression on the broader Clearwater community. She paved the way by sponsoring and coordinating countless scholarships, and inspired many young people through her work in education and her community. Many will affectionately remember her for her classy and trend-setting sense of style.

Joyce and her husband Rodman K. Ware (d. 2018) began their adventure together on May 6, 1983, blending their families. They enjoyed traveling the world and sharing it with their great-grandchildren. She loved her family deeply and had a way of making each niece, nephew or cousin feeling like “the favorite.” One of her greatest joys was celebrating her 85th birthday by securing the Calypso Queen for a lunch cruise celebration with her entire family.

She is preceded in death by her adoring husband Rodman and loving brothers, Bernard, Donald, Carey and William Harvey. She leaves to cherish her memory sons, Darryl and Torin McCray; daughters-in-love, Anita Ware-Johnson, Karen Ware-Dewberry (John), and Gwendolyn Maloy; brothers Harry (Tina) and Larry (Ortaega) Bryant and Jesse Parker; sister Barbara Anderson; grandchildren, Erica D., LaKecia A., and Danielle V. McCray, Azure D. Evans, Barbara Newkirk (Eric) and Maalikah Yorke; great-grandchildren Brittany, James, Da’marien, Da’monie, and Peyton; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

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