Viewing: Wednesday, March 23, 2015 1:00 p.m. to 6:00p.m. at Long Beach Colonial Mortuary.

Service: Thursday, March 24, 2015 at Long Beach Colonial Mortuary Chapel 638 Atlantic Ave Long Beach, CA 90802.

Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Park 1500 E. San Antonio Drive, Long Beach, CA 90807.

Obituary

Joyce Ross, age 55, passed away March 10, 2015 in her residence.

Joyce was born on August 16, 1959 to Billie and Mable Lee Ross in Rock Island, Illinois. She was the fourth child of seven including Cookie Ross, Sonny Ross, Peggy Ross, Dennis Ross, Zody Ross and Polly Ross.

At the age of 6 1/2, Joyce as well as two siblings survived a house fire. In 1968, after treatment and recovery, the Ross family relocated from Illinois to Kansas City, Kansas. There, she enrolled in third grade at Lowell Elementary. She met and became fast friends with Elaine Oliver and Reggie Mitchell. She then attended Central High School where she was an excellent student and enjoyed many extra curricular activities. In high school she met her friends older brother, Leonard Oliver. They later became engaged to be married and had two children together, Tywan Teon Oliver whom she affectionately called "Bones" and Deiania Marie Ross-Pierre whom she affectionately called "BoBo". In 1977, Joyce decided to move her family to Oceanside, California to join the father of her children who was a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton. There she furthered her education and became a Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide. She worked in the medical field for more than 15 years.

Joyce was very hard working, ambitious, independent and strong willed. She persevered through many challenges, obstacles and traumatic events. She was courageous and never let adversity stop her from pursuing her goals. Her greatest joys were her children and grandchildren as she viewed them as the future full of so much potential and possibilities.

Joyce was not one to beat around the bush or sugar coat anything. She had warm eyes, a great sense of humor, an amazing laugh and a genuine smile. She was an avid reader; always wanting to learn and deepen her understanding of any topic that interested her. Joyce loved music; everything from old school Aretha Franklin and ZZ Hill to contemporary Pop artists such as Adele to the gangsta rap of 2 Pac, 2 Chainz and Rick Ross, which could be heard blasting from her home and/or car stereo. She owned and watched so many movies, she could have been in the movie rental business or a movie critic.

In 2014, Joyce joined the Long Beach Christian Fellowship Center and became a member of a group called the Jesus Calling Cadre. Her active participation deepened her relationship with God, created friendships and gave her comfort.

Joyce leaves to cherish her memories her son Tywan Teon Oliver; daughter Deiania Marie Ross-Pierre; son-in-law Carlos B. Pierre; five grandchildren Antywan Oliver, Ceqoi Oliver; Troi Oliver; De'acko Oliver, Jaquan Oliver and a host of extended family, other relatives and friends.