Patricia JOY (Lewis) Coward

      Patricia "Joy" Lewis Coward, 80, of Wilmington was called to her heavenly home on Sunday, December 5th, 2021 from Davis Community Center of Wilmington.

      She was born May 11, 1941 in Wilmington, NC to Charlie Haywood and Irma  Magdalene (Malpass) Lewis. In addition to her parents, Joy was preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth Ann Warren; and grandson, Brady Allister Bruton.

      Surviving to cherish her memory is her partner, Evander McLendon of Burgaw; her seven children, Warren Barton (Kym), Cathy Cobb (Will), Tiffany Barton, Allison Scott (Jeff), Heidi Bruton (George), Heather Musselwhite (Danny), and Allen Coward (Sindi); grandchildren, Michael, Virginia, James, Bella, Maddie, Harper, Farrell, Jeffrey, Gigi, Scout, Hampton, Ligon, Beckett, Charlie, Catherine, Will, and Emma; sister, Fay Peterson; cousin, Janet Dorman; and a host of other relatives.

     Joy had a passion for making all things beautiful, herself included. A 1959 graduate of New Hanover High School, she was off to Troutman's Beauty School. She had occupations in retail, wallpaper, and flooring, all leading her to an interior design store she called "A Joy Forever". She enjoyed being with friends and family, and she had an abundance of both. A master of southern cuisine, she would fry chicken for hours and there was nary a lump in her creamed potatoes. Joy was sweet southern sass, clorets and perfume, stilettos and slippers, sweet tea and champagne. Wherever she was, there was "Joy". She could snap beans or snap orders. She threatened with a wooden spoon, she loved the early mornings and admired her roses though she paid someone else to plant them. She could shag with the best. Our mother touched hearts everywhere she went, in her health and in her illness. Her smile was infectious, her laughter contagious. Though she will be sorely missed, the family finds solace in knowing that she is free from the struggles of Alzheimer's. It stole her memories, not ours. She truly was and will remain "A Joy Forever".

       A graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Rileys Creek Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Merrell McKoy conducting the service.

     The family would like to thank the staff at Davis Community Center for the unwavering compassion and care provided to both our mother and ourselves.                                      

     Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting Tribute Wall.     

     A service of Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel.

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