Joyce Evelyn Osteen Whitmire

Joyce Evelyn Osteen Whitmire, 87 of Zirconia, NC, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born February 19, 1934, to the late Rev. James Everette Osteen, Sr., and Della Mae Summey Osteen.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings James Everette Osteen Jr., Louise Osteen, Emma Osteen Allen, William Osteen, Ruby and Ruth Osteen (Twins), Lois Osteen, Lorene Osteen, and Minnie Sue Osteen.
Joyce was a high school graduate of Flat Rock High School and grew up attending Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, where her father was the minister. Joyce dedicated 36 years of her life working for General Electric in East Flat Rock before retiring. She loved gardening and working in her yard, gospel music, Opera, reading, puzzles, and watching Days of Our Lives. Her greatest accomplishment in life was her five children that she loved dearly. She was not only a wonderful loving mother, but a dedicated and loving grandmother that helped raise her grandchildren and great-grandchildren that will love and miss her greatly.
She is survived by her children, Margaret Whitmire, of Zirconia, Mary (Robert) Gambrell, of Zirconia, Carol Elaine Whitmire, of Zirconia, Brenda Whitmire (Johnny), of Hendersonville, Michael Whitmire (Tina), of Travelers Rest, SC, and her brother, Robert Osteen, of Zirconia. Joyce is also survived by her grandchildren, Amanda Moffit, Dwayne Gambrell, Kelly Maybin, Nikki Johnson, Roger Hensley Jr., Steven Gambrell, Lisa Hensley, Jason Gambrell, Richard Simpson, Chris Simpson, Mia Moore, Tori Whitmire, and Morgan Whitmire; great-grandchildren, Vanessa Propst, Chasiti Maynor, Aaron Maynor Jr, Nevada Maynor, Tyler Bradley, Patrick Maynor, Taylor Newsome, Jordan Newsome, Korra Newsome, Makayla Myles, Nathan Myles, Gavin Bridwell, Elijah Rhodes, Josiah Johnson, Lexi Simpson, Caleb Gambrell, Zachary Gambrell, Olivia Gambrell, Anthony Hensley, Miguel Hensley, Callie Hensley, Maddie Hensley, Sean Hensley, Garrett Moore, Addalyn Moore, Emory Moore, and Torin Whitmire; great-great grandchildren, Zerella Propst, Quentin Propst, Freyja Propst, Jaxon Maynor, Layla Galloway, Ellie Maynor, William Thomas, and Walker Myles coming in November; and her nieces and nephews, Paula Moss, Darwin Allen, Martin Allen, Dean Allen, Beverely Osteen Hill, Ronnie Osteen, Joel Osteen, and Casey Osteen.
A funeral service for Ms. Whitmire will be held at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Zirconia, NC, on Friday, August 20, 2021, at 12:00 pm. The family will receive friends and family one hour prior to the service at the church. Rev. Homer Maybin will officiate the funeral service. A committal service will follow at Mt. Olivet Church Cemetery.