March 6, 1925 – January 25, 2022
Joyce Johnson Caswell,96, passed away on January 25, 2022, at Chesapeake Hospital in Chesapeake, VA. Joyce was born in Hartford, Vermont on March 6, 1925, to Katharine and Peter Johnson. After graduating from high school she moved to Boston, MA for work. It was there that she met Harold Gray, a sailor in port from North Carolina. They soon married and in 1952 along with their two children moved to Buxton, NC on Hatteras Island. Joyce worked as the principal’s secretary at Cape Hatteras School for 20+ years. Her life revolved around school activities in support of her children as well as many other students. Joyce was so revered by the students and staff that the 1964 edition of the school yearbook, The Lighthouse, was dedicated to her.
Eventually, Joyce moved back to White River, Jct., VT, where she married James Caswell, a former classmate. While in Vermont Joyce worked at Thermal Dynamics until she retired at 69 years of age. After retirement, she continued to volunteer for Special Olympics and as a member of the Ladies’ Auxillary of The American Legion. She never met a stranger and made many friends wherever she lived as was evidenced at her 90th birthday celebration where 100+ friends and family attended. After her husband’s death, she moved to Chesapeake, Va to live with her son, Donnie, and his wife, Linda. She also loved living closer to her grandson, Kyle, and his wife, Vicki.
Joyce was predeceased by her parents and her step-father, Jack Johnston; her children’s father, Harold Gray; her step-sons, Ralph and John Caswell; her niece, Cheryl Caswell; her brother, Nelson “Sonny” Johnson; her niece, Betty Ann McCullough and her brother-in-law, Leonard Jacobs.
Joyce is survived by her daughter Caryn Pandullo(Sam); son, Donnie Gray(Linda) and grandson, Kyle(Vicki); sister, Jackie Jacobs; and stepchildren Christine Rice(Pierre), Jim Caswell, Kathy Caswell, and Beth Caswell. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews with whom she remained close to until her death.
A memorial service will be held in the Spring in Vermont. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions could be made to Special Olympics.
