Joyce Faye Todd Gaines-Dandridge

Joyce Faye, age 79, of Poquoson, Virginia, went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 6, 2021. She was born August 25, 1941 in Union Town, Virginia (now known as Yorktown) to the late Lewis Todd and Nannie Hopson Todd Slade. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Robert "Goldie" Slade; in-laws Robert and Annie Bell Gaines of Detroit, Michigan; and her beloved husband George Gaines who passed in 1992. She is survived by her loving husband of 14 years, Allie Dandridge; her sister, Gloria Wright; her children Tony Gaines (Tammy) of Poquoson, Virginia, and Dr. Monica Kobayashi (Mark) of Seven Springs, North Carolina; stepsons Allie M. Dandridge, Jr. (Mary Anne), Greg Dandridge, and Lance Dandridge; her grandkids Antonio Gaines, Brandon Fogg and Petee Webb; great grandkids Elijah and Aria Fogg; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Joyce graduated James Weldon Johnson in 1959 where she played basketball, was in the band and the French Club. She attended Hampton University for undergraduate and her Masters' degrees. For more than 30 years, Joyce Faye was a teacher at many school systems including James Weldon Johnson, Tabb Middle School, Kaiserslautern American High School, Fürth/Nuremberg American High School, and Poquoson High School. After retiring from teaching, she enjoyed traveling with Al, shopping, and visiting family and friends.

She was a proud member of Cary's Baptist Church for decades where she sang in the choir; she was a member of the AKA sorority, Poquoson Education Association (PEA) and other education associations, and an active democrat. She was very active in the community and known for helping others.

There will be a visitation Friday, April 16, 2021 from 7 to 8 PM at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 17,2021 at 11 AM at Cary's Baptist Church. Covid 19 restrictions are being followed and social distancing and masks are required.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Dementia Society of America, Post Office Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, https://www.dementiasociety.org/, or the Poquoson Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 2099, Poquoson, VA 23662.