Obituary Overview
Joyce Marie Strange
Strange “Johnson”, Joyce Marie (Mousie), 78 (1940-2018), passed away suddenly at home on November 29, 2018. Born to Dorothy (Gray) Johnson of Falmouth NS and Cecil L. Johnson of Beechville NS.
Joyce’s musical career started at 7 years old, when her mom taught her to play Midnight Boogie on the guitar, and a star was born! Joyce performed in many amateur contests, clubs and legions throughout NS. She played as a solo artist as well, performing at numerous birthday, Christmas and New Year’s events.
Throughout her life, she also worked at Canadian Linen, Black United Front (BUF) in Windsor NS, a professional cleaner, and was a homecare worker.
Joyce turned professional in 1985, when she debuted at the now defunct Mayflower Club with her then named band Ebony and Ivory. She continued to spread her beautiful voice and talents throughout HRM playing at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home, The Glades, Melville Lodge and Gordon B. Isnor for over 33 years.
Joyce performed with her family and children, all who are musically inclined. She played in a band, Kings Call Band that Roger, Larry and herself started, playing at the Living Word Ministries, led by her son, Reverend Larry Croxen, where she gave her heart to the Lord in 1993.
She was completing her fourth CD with her children at the time of her passing and she was still booking gig’s all over HRM, up until two weeks ago! On top of her many accomplishments, she was featured on Channel 10, in the Daily News and is one of Canada’s very few Black female Country and Western singers, who also had a love for the Blues.
She is survived by her by her husband of 40 years, Mr. Roger Strange; children, and their significant others: Reverend Larry Croxen (Barbara), Windsor NS, Sharon “Shay” Croxen (Ivan), Dartmouth, Alvin Croxen (Rosy), Dartmouth, Erving Croxen (Dorothy), Dartmouth, Leonard “Plums” Croxen, Toronto ON, Curtis Croxen, Toronto ON, Trena Flint (Scott) Dartmouth NS, and Garfield Flint (Detra) Dartmouth; step-daughter Suzy Strange, Toronto ON. ; Siblings and their significant others; Cecil Johnson Jr. (Diane), Montreal PQ, Bernice Johnson (Donnie), Halifax, Kenny Johnson (Carol), Toronto ON, Vernon Johnson (Phyllis), Halifax, Mark Johnson (Mary), Vancouver BC, Kyle Johnson, Vancouver BC. Joyce is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
She was pre-deceased by her parents; Sisters Pauline Munroe, Caroline O’Brien, Muriel Johnson; Brother Bernard Johnson; son Gary Croxen; step-son John Strange.
Visitation Friday December 7, 2018 1 – 1:30 pm, memorial service 1:30 pm, in Atlantic Funeral Homes, Dartmouth Chapel 771 Main Street, Dartmouth. Interment in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a go fund me page, to help pay for the funeral expenses.
Link: www.gofundme.com/mrs-joyce-marie-johnsonstrange039s-journey-home
“I know the angels are going to be stunned to silence once they see you for all your beauty, red lipstick and all.” E.I.M.S.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joyce Marie Strange 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia