Obituary of Joyce Ellen Brusseau

Joyce Mason Brusseau, 83 years old, died on January 31, 2023 at 1 P.M. Mrs. Brusseau was born on July 27, 1939 in Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina as Joyce Ellen Ward. She was the first child of three born to Joyce Cranford Ward and Samuel Allen Ward. She was baptized in youth as a Methodist. Joyce was married to Douglas L. Mason and they had three children: David Lewis Mason; Ward Lamar Mason; and Anne Mason Hodges. The family lived for a number of years in Mammoth, Wyoming in Yellowstone National Park and later in Livingston, Montana before embarking on an adventure with Douglas travelling across country in their travel trailer. Mrs. Brusseau returned to Orange County, North Carolina in 2002, where she met Gary W. Brusseau and married him on August 13, 2019. Mrs. Brusseau and her husband were active members of Antioch Baptist Church, White Cross, North Carolina.

Joyce was talented in several artistic disciplines. As a young lady, she performed as a ballet and tap dancer, as well as being skilled in gymnastics. She was an exceptional seamstress, excellent at crocheting and knitting, and a talented artist in drawing and painting. She had her own art studio, The Greyfeather Studio, in Livingston, Montana. An exhibition of Joyce’s paintings occurred at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill in 2016. Joyce played piano, violin and autoharp, and was known for a beautiful voice as a soprano. She also had a love for foreign languages, speaking German as well as other languages. Mrs. Brusseau trusted in God, and Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and sought to serve God’s will in all she did. She was very loving, and loved by all. She received strength from God to face many health challenges, and was a witness to God’s faithfulness and tender care in her life.

Mrs. Brusseau is survived by son David Mason, wife, Kim and grandsons, Jonathan and Matthew who currently reside in North Carolina; son Ward Mason who currently resides in Montana, his wife Candace, grandchildren, Nicholas, Alora, Matthew, Christopher, Zach and Zoe, and great-grandson, Kai; her daughter Anne Mason Hodges who currently resides in Colorado, Anne’s husband David, and grandchildren Dannielle and Gabriel who are currently serving on Active Duty in the U.S. Army overseas. She is also survived by her husband Gary W. Brusseau, brothers-in-law Greg Brusseau and Ronnie Brusseau and their families, and her sister Janice Turner. Mrs. Brusseau was preceded in death by her parents, brother, and first husband Douglas. The services for Joyce are scheduled for Thursday February 9, 2023 at Antioch Baptist Church, 1707 White Cross Road, Chapel Hill. There will be a 1:00 p.m. visitation, with the funeral service following at 2:00 p.m.  At the conclusion of the funeral service, an interment service will take place in the Antioch Cemetery.  Immediately following the interment, a reception will be held in the fellowship hall. The church will be livestreaming the funeral service (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tucCnO0oSU0). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Antioch Baptist Church to support the AWANA children’s ministry (https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z2CS/campaign/C-11W34). Walker’s Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is honored to assist the family.