Joyce Evins Dozier

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ALCOLU -  Joyce Evins Dozier, 52, wife of Barney Ray Dozier, died Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at her home, 5782 Brogdon Road in Alcolu.

Born July 27, 1961, in Norwalk, Conn., she was a daughter of Shirley Taylor Evins and the late Deacon Hazel "June" Evins Jr. She was a 1979 graduate of Norwalk High School, and pursued higher education at Southern Connecticut State College in New Haven, Conn., and received her bachelor of arts degree from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. She was working on her master's degree at the time of her illness.

She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church of East Norwalk, Conn., and sang in the JJF Youth Choir. After moving down south, she joined the Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church, where she sang on the Mass Choir, worked with the youth department and was ordained as a deaconess.

Her love for education inspired her to volunteer at Alcolu Elementary School, and she was later hired by Clarendon School Distric 2 as a teacher's aide. She pursued her degree at night to become a teacher. In 1996, she graduated magna cum laude, and was hired as a sixth-grade science teacher.

She was chosen at District 2 Teacher of the Year for 2003-04. She became ill while doing what she loved, and on June 5, 2007, retired with 21 years of service in the district.

Survivors besides her husband and mother, both of the home, include three daughters, Deneia Lakeshia Dozier and Felicia Rayvona Dozier, both of Sumter, and Jorayia Tarene Dozier of Alcolu; a sister, Adrienne E. (Pressley) Harvin of Alcolu; a brother, Michael Franklin of Bridgeport, Conn.; two granddaughters, Ja'Leah Hazel Skyy Hilton of Alcolu and Dru Kamaree Gist of Sumter; her father- and mother-in-law, the Rev. Barney and Mary Dozier of Manning; a special and devoted aunt and caregiver, Martha Frieson of Alcolu; 11 additional aunts; five uncles; seven sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Celebratory services will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church in Alcolu with Pastor Hazel Charles officiating, Pastor Jonathan Anderson presiding, and Pastor Cheryl Graham, Minister Lawrence Dozier, Pastor Henry O. Blackwell and Pastor Matthew Singleton assisting. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery.

Mrs. Dozier will lie in repose one hour prior to services.

The family will recveive friends at the home.

These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.