Joyce Klett

Joyce Alice Marie Henderson Klett, 80, entered into eternal rest on the morning of January 13, 2019 in her home in Hope Mills North Carolina after a long and courageous battle with uterine cancer.

Born in Auburn, New York and raised in Athens, Joyce was the daughter of the late Thomas Stuart Henderson and Alice Bellnier Henderson. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Philip George Klett; her daughter, Tara Patricia Klett; her brother, John Thomas Henderson; her sister, Marilyn Florence Gordon, brother-in-law, Jack: and her brother-in-law, Walter Dorpfeld.

Joyce is survived by her seven children, William Joseph Klett and Andrea, Mark Anthony Klett and Kristine, Mary Elizabeth O'Hara and David, Rebecca Ann Page and John, Pamela Jean Fitzgerald and Marty, Scarlett Melissa Shannon and James, and Christopher Alan Klett and Theresa; nineteen grandchildren, ten great grandchildren; her sister, Ann Thomasine Dorpfeld; her sister-in-law, Maryann Henderson; and her devoted dog, Honey.

Joyce was an aunt to 25 nieces and nephews and is affectionately known as "Aunt Joyce" by hundreds. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Joyce was raised in Athens New York and met the love of her life; Philip George Klett in February 1959 and after a brief whirlwind courtship committed to their life long love in marriage on April 25, 1959. The two traveled around the world and the United States with many assignments during Phil's navy career while adding many children to complete their family.

Unfortunately, Phil passed away in 1973 and Joyce moved back home to New York to raise their seven children, ages one to twelve. Joyce loved Jesus and was a very active member of St. Patrick's/St. Bridgette's Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister and encouraged her children to be active members in the church community also. Joyce loved children, she opened her home to hundred's of children through foster care and day care services and even strangers. She was affectionately known as "Aunt Joyce" by young and old. Joyce's hobbies included baking, reading all types of books, music and movies to include her favorite "Gone With The Wind" and watching David on QVC! . Her favorite hobby was visiting with all of her family and of course...talking. haha!

Although Joyce moved from Greene County in 1989; trips back "home" were made frequently and times together were always special to her.
Joyce was diagnosed with cancer June 2016 and her doctors ordered hospice care at that time because her time was limited. "Well, the joke was on them" Joyce would laugh and say when they discontinued giving her services in June 2018. Joyce said "I guess I lived too long" and then would chuckle. Her sense of humor was contagious, sometimes morbid, but gave her the strength to endure life's very challenging experiences. Joyce managed to cheat death in 1973 when she flat lined during surgery and often retold her experience of meeting Jesus and Phil. She was instructed that her job on earth was not done and it wasn't her time, she had to raise their children. Joyce loved to share her faith in the afterlife. In December 2001 Joyce once again became extremely ill and remained hospitalized for six months and as a result, her health restricted her ability but that still didn't stop her. She was given another 17 years to enjoy life and see her family continue to grow with even more grandchildren, spouses, marriages and becoming a great grandmother.

Joyce had a smile and kind word for every one she met. There was no such thing as a "stranger" to her. Our world is a little more lonely for her loved ones but heaven just gained an "Ace"

A private viewing will be held at Pinecrest Funeral Home in Hope Mills, NC on January 15, 2019 for Joyce's immediate family. Burial to take place at Arlington National Cemetery and will be announced at a later date.