Mrs Joyce Evelyn Greenway, nee Wright: 1929-2018 

Long-standing member of Blackheath and Charlton Baptist Church

Joyce was born in Charlton, South East London on 19th December 1929. She was the second child and only daughter of Evelyn and William Wright who began taking her to Blackheath and Charlton Baptist Church where they were both members. Apart from a brief time in Southborough as an evacuee during World War Two, she attended Blackheath and Charlton Baptist Church her entire life, becoming a member of the church on 16th August 1947 following her baptism. The church acknowledged her long standing membership by presenting her with a certificate when she had been a member for 65 years in 2012. 

Joyce served as a Sunday school teacher from her early teens and was an active member of the Girls Life Brigade in which she held significant roles including Lieutenant. A particular highlight of her involvement with this enabled her to meet the Queen at an event at Woolwich Town Hall. She also had a lifelong interest in mission work, acting as missionary secretary for a number of years. Through this involvement she met her husband, Malcolm and they married at the church in July 1967. 

Joyce worked as a secretary initially for Baptist Insurance, then for the Midland Bank until the birth of their first child, Adrian, in 1969. Their daughter, Alison, was born two years later.

Joyce was active in many areas of church life including BMS representative and organising the Ladies Fellowship meetings. She was renowned for her love and care for people including her close family as they aged and also a great many who attended Blackheath and Charlton over the years.

In her final years Joyce suffered from vascular dementia and spent the final 15 months of her life in residential care. Though the dementia robbed her of many cherished memories, her faith in Jesus remained strong even to her final days.  Joyce passed away peacefully in her sleep, on 18th April 2018, at Meadows House, Kidbrooke, aged 88 years.

She is survived by her husband, Malcolm, her children and grandchildren.

A service of thanksgiving, conducted by Stan Gain, to celebrate her life and faith was held on Tuesday 8 May at the church she attended her entire life.