Joyce Wilson Hawley
Joyce Wilson Hawley passed away on January 18, 2026, at the age of 79, after succumbing to a serious head trauma from which she fought back for 10 long days. Her bravery in those last days was the same indelible courage, fight, and persistence that she exhibited all her life.
Joyce was a loyal family member and friend, a hilarious storyteller, a philosophical and political deep thinker, a local Triangle legend in many ways, and an eclectic grandmother Mimi. She loved to fish, read, write poetry, draw, travel, go antiquing, be with her grandsons any way she could, and cook and eat good food. Joyce created her own professions out of necessity as a young woman with two daughters to support, from the age of 29 until she retired at 70 years old.
In the Triangle she was known as a vivacious, talented singer. She maintained her own band “The Rhythm Section” to perform in a wide range of venues for over 30 years: country clubs, most of the long-lost supper clubs of the Triangle, WRAL-TV for various on air events, weddings, funerals, even a flatbed truck stage! She sang anywhere anyone needed her to liven up an event or sing with sincerity. She was one of the few female barrier-breakers in the entertainment industry in the Triangle beginning in the 1970’s. In addition to working as a vocalist and entertainer, she opened and operated her own supper club from 1988-1994 in Raleigh called “Joyce’s.”
She always "put in the work" as a real estate broker and investor, as a painter of art and furniture, as a writer of her own memoir, and as the co-creator and co-owner of a funky home furnishings store for 16 years alongside her two daughters. Many people living in or from the Triangle have her painted furniture, have memories of her singing at their family’s event or in her own club, or have read her book. Joyce leaves this world with tangible pieces of her creative talents. Many people will miss her love, her charisma, her spunk and her friendship.
Though having Parkinson’s disease in her late 70’s challenged her confidence, Joyce never gave up for the sake of her family. She intensely grieved the loss of her older daughter, Liz Hawley Ennis, who passed in 2023. Joyce is survived by her youngest daughter Chrissy Hawley Pressley; her equally unique four grandsons Barrett and Graham Ennis, and Liam and Connor Pressley; her son-in-law Matt Pressley and son-in-law Randy Ennis; her sister Janice Massengill; her brother and sister-in-law Woody and Bobbie Wilson; and her best friend and joyous dog companion Toby. Those that knew her and loved her the best will never let her be forgotten.
A public remembrance gathering will be held for Joyce on Sunday, February 22nd, from 3-6pm, at the All Saints Chapel at 110 S. East Street in Raleigh. Parking is available close-by on the street and at the lot on the corner of East Street and New Bern Ave (by Raleigh Fire Station #3). Family remarks will begin at 4pm.