Joyce Mitchell Richie

Joyce Mitchell Richie passed away December 4, 2013, surrounded by family. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Leon V. Richie Sr. Leila Joyce Maria Betancourt was born on October 18, 1926, in Hattiesburg, MS, to Bessie (Cox) & Angelo Betancourt. Her maternal grandparents were Leila & Walter Cox of Collins, MS. She graduated high school from Forest County, in Brooklyn, MS. After graduating high school, she attended college, and met and married her first husband Troy Mitchell. During her marriage to Troy, she had 6 children. Years later she met and married Leon V. Richie and had 2 more children. In the early 1970's she had "Joyce's Tailor shop" on West Howard Ave in Biloxi. She made the "Biloxi High Marching Band" Uniforms for numerous years, including the year they performed at Richard Nixon’s inaugural parade. She enjoyed going to Mardi Gras seeing the "Alumni Band" wearing some of her old pieces. In the late 1970's, she worked on the volunteer "Help Line". Answering phone calls to help people in need. She also worked for the American Red Cross for many Years. She helped Leon in The Boy Scouts of America and was a Den Leader, Cub Scout Leader and assistant to anyone that needed her. Joyce was very proud of her career in Real Estate. She started out as a salesperson, and eventually became a broker. She had a love of books and gardening. Perhaps the biggest joy in her life, was her love of Archaeology, in her better years, she could be found most weekends on an Archaeology Dig with her dear friend and mentor, Dale Greenwell. She was a member of the D’Iberville Historical Society, Mississippi Relators Association, and a member of Heritage United Methodist Church. She is survived by her 8 children. Sherrie (Ret. Lt. Col. Lee) Richmond, Chressie Sylvester, Daniel Mitchell, Bonnie Odum, Wendie (Kenneth Sr.) Cook, Troie Roy, Leon V. (Jack)Richie Jr. and Elsie Richie Dauphin. She had 19 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. She has 2 brothers Walter Betancourt, & Paul (Ann) Hayes, & 2 Sisters, Linda (Mark) Engler, & Angelina Garofalo. The family would like to thank the Greenbriar Nursing home, Southern Care Hospice, and Dr. Peterson, for giving her such a wonderful passing experience for both her and them. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Pass Road Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi. Funeral service is 12:00 p.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel, where friends may visit one hour prior. Burial will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com