Birth date: Dec 12, 1936 Death date: May 12, 2020
Sunrise December 12, 1936- Sunset May 12, 2020 Gershom Joyce Sowell was born Quincy Jeannetta Joyce on December 12,1936 to Robert Ezra Joyce Sr. and Jeannetta Jones Joyce in Nashville Tennessee. Gershom was 9 of thirteen children Read Obituary
I met Gershom at May Street Church of Christ as ‘Que’ and we had a special bond. We lived down the street from each other in Natomas and they invited me over most Sundays after church. She invited me to join their Book Club and I loved our discussions about our book choice. I really enjoyed our time spent together and I will miss her greatly.
I worked with her at Jedediah Smith Elementary School. She was such a beautiful, elegant woman. I loved it when she changed roles, to become a 6th grade teacher. She made it very clear that moving to the 7th grade was a promotion, not a graduation. She insisted there would be no limousines, and that the boys were to dress like gentlemen and girls like modest young ladies. She demanded dignity and respect, and rightfully received it in return. I loved her humor and the way she laughed. For some reason, she offered to let me use her truck to pick up something, but not before she asked, "You do know how to drive a stick don't you?" I assured her I that I only drove cars with stick shifts. She laughed and said, "Well, you really know how to drive then. A lot of people can't."
She touched my soul so beautifully. Every time something annoys the life out of me and I think, "It makes me wanna holler," reminding me of the book she encouraged me to read. She loved deeply, she cared deeply and she changed lives.
While this brings me to tears, memories of Gershom will always, always make me smile. I feel blessed to have known her.
Her family and community have my sincere prayers.
RIP dear Gershom.
