Joyce Elaine Breeden Sims, 69, a lifelong resident of Greene County, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, January 17th, 2023. Born May 1st, 1953, she was the daughter of Tiny Burnette Breeden and Garnett Durrer Breeden, both of whom preceded her in death. Her three older siblings survive her: Gayle Collier, Alan Breeden (Joyce Ann), and Jerry Breeden (Sue Ellen).
Family is not always by blood. It is by heart.
She is survived by her partner, Roger Estes, and her children, Yancy Sims and Angel Sims (Carl Chadziutko), and her family by heart: Hannah Breeden, Amy Flevarakis (John), Kaylee Tuncy, Alyssa Flevarakis, Clemmie Estes, Mason Powell, Tabitha Estes, Shane Estes, Elaina Collier, Kim Gentry, and Emma Chadziutko. She is also survived by Garland Sims, many cousins, nieces, nephews, dear friends, and a special aunt, Mary Jean Dickens.
Though cancer defined the final years of her life, she lived a full one.
Joyce graduated from William Monroe High School and worked as an instructional assistant and special needs bus driver for 36 years. She began her career at Greenbrier Elementary School, and retired from Greene County Public Schools in 2019, spending 21 years at Ruckersville Elementary. She was proud of her work and the relationships she built with students who were often overlooked by others or needed a helping hand. Some of her best memories involved her school family, especially dinners with her RES ladies in recent years.
She was instrumental in creating the first safe after-prom party for William Monroe High School in the late 1980’s and continued volunteering at this important event for nearly a decade. She was a women’s auxiliary volunteer for the Stanardsville Volunteer Fire Department and spent nearly two decades on the board of the Greene County Fair, which she truly loved. Joyce loved her University of Virginia Wahoos, especially basketball, and had no problem assisting the referees with their jobs, whether in person or while watching on television.
Many also knew her as the lady who would deliver her “Baa Baa Balloons” around the area for Valentine’s Day and other occasions. She loved the beach, Willie Nelson, weekend camping trips, dogs, and the occasional Beach Music Festival or bluegrass tune. She hated birds and still had a flip phone. She would want you all to know that.
We will miss her dearly.
A memorial celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 27th at Preddy Funeral Home, 59 Edgewood School Lane, Madison, VA. She wouldn’t care what you were wearing; she’d just be happy you thought of her, so please come as you feel comfortable and don’t forget your smile.
We’d like to express sincere thanks to all friends, family, and care providers who helped her throughout the nearly five years she was in cancer treatment. Each of you made a difference in her quality of life and we are forever grateful. Many thanks to her special neighbor, Travis Shifflett, who helped care for her and her beloved dogs. We are appreciative of the care she received from her Sentara Martha Jefferson oncology team; Dr. Mark Pritchard, Dr. Anthony Crimaldi, Jennifer Raymond, Cathy Yeargin, and their amazing infusion center staff. We are equally appreciative of her team from Hospice of the Piedmont, Lee McDaniel and Diana Jordan, who provided her with care and comfort during her last months.
Memorial donations may be made to the Child Life Program at UVA Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 800773, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0773.
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