Obituary of Gloria May Remekie

Gloria May Remekie, a 22-year resident of Pearland, Texas, transitioned Tuesday, May 7, 2018, in her home. Gloria was considered the neighborhood grandmother who gravitated to and doted on every child she met. Thus, she became affectionately known as “Granny Joyce.”

Born on April 4, 1935, in Ham Walk Jamaica, Granny Joyce devoted her life to caring for others. She particularly enjoyed taking care of children. All of the children that she had a hand in caring for have grown up to be healthy, college-bound thriving young adults. Granny Joyce particularly adored caring for Argentina “Taylor” James and Master Colen Joseph James. She attended and actively participated in every event and significant milestone of their lives.  She loved them as though they were her own. 

Granny Joyce loved good food and enjoyed watching the Worldwide Wrestling Federation. She also liked planting and nursing her flower beds, shopping with friends, and cooking her favorite Jamaican cuisines. She was very intent on being active and on the go. Granny Joyce became health conscious and made a daily habit of walking a mile around the neighborhood. While walking, she made it a point to check in with her neighbors and friends. She also loved to dance, especially when Colen and Taylor nudged her on—she would put on a great show. Granny Joyce worshiped at Windsor Village United Methodist Church, and her favorite book was the Bible. The highlight of her week was dressing up in her favorite color “yellow” and going to church to hear Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell give the message of the day.

Granny Joyce was preceded in death by her mother, Lena Nelson (Jamaica) and father Sandy Remekie (Jamaica), her sisters Geneva “Aunt Dee” Remekie (Jamaica), and Edna Remekie Wade (Jamaica). Granny Joyce is survived by five siblings, Lloyd Remekie (Jamaica), Laurel “Noel” Remekie (Canada), Owen “Binns” Remekie (Jamaica), Irma “Shirley” Jonas (Florida), and Stella Ferron (Jamaica); her sons, Derrick Stephenson (Florida) and Danny Stephenson (Jamaica); Argentina M. James-Harris (Roger)—her daughter and caretaker until she transitioned. Granny Joyce is also survived by her grandchildren: Richard Stephenson, Sophen Stephenson, Sheonese Stephenson, Shereen Stephenson, Richard Stephenson, Micah Stephenson, Asia Stephenson, Argentina Taylor James, Colen Joseph James, Michelle Hill, DiAnn Hill, Shawn “Mark” Hill, Michael, and a host of other grandchildren, nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.

The Memorial Service for Granny Joyce will be held at Clayton Funeral Home 5530 West Broadway Street, Pearland, Texas 77581, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Visitation is at 2:00 P.M. and Memorial Service will begin at 2:45 P.M. Pastor Irv White, Associate Pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church, will officiate the Memorial Service.  The Clayton Funeral and Cemetery Services of Pearland is entrusted with arrangements.  Granny Joyce’s final wishes were to be cremated and to have her ashes released in a beach in Kingston Jamaica.