"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." -2 Timothy 4:7

On June 24, 2026, God in His infinite wisdom called home to glory Joyce Paulette Lee Surley. She was born on February 19, 1950, to Mollie and Jeff David Lee of Chesterfield County, Virginia.

Joyce was a master of reinventing herself and had several careers. She along with her sister Ercell Coleman started out as Cooks in Jones Dining Hall at Virginia State University. Joyce decided to reinvent herself when her older children became teenagers. She began a new career as a Cosmetologist and opened a business in Petersburg, Virginia on Chapel Street called Cashay's Beauty Salon where she served the Petersburg community for many years. At the conclusion of her Cosmetology career, Joyce took a break from the working world to stay home and care for her grandchildren and any other child that needed love and care in the community who lovingly called her "Grannie"! Once she believed her grandchildren and children to be flourishing, Joyce jumped back into life and reinvented herself once again. She enrolled in Virginia College and graduated in 2021 from the Culinary Arts Program as a Master Chef and Pastry Chef. She interned at Sweet Temptations Bakery in Ettrick after graduation. Directly after her internship she was employed by Kroger as a Deli Associate, and Applebee's as a Sioux Chef.

Joyce had many hobbies that included crocheting, gardening, flower arranging, jewelry making, traveling, and making custom photo albums. She was very passionate about cooking and making sure that no one ever left her home hungry.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Mollie and Jeff David Lee; husband of fifty-two years, Bernard M. Surley, Sr.; granddaughter, McKenzey Surley-Bickham; sisters, Estelle Booker, Lorraine Walker, Lilly Coleman and Inez Barnes; and her brothers, Carol Lee and Harvey Hamlin.

Joyce leaves to cherish her memories: her children Yolanda Hawes of Colonial Heights, Virginia, Chandera Surley of South Chesterfield, Virginia, Sasha Clarke (Edward) of Amelia, Virginia, Nakia Surley (Aric) of South Chesterfield, Virginia and Bernard Surley, Jr. (Tynisha) of Eastern Shore, Virginia; devoted grandchildren, Adrianna Cross of South Chesterfield, Virginia, Semaj Surley (Keyoshia) of Colonial Heights, Virginia (raised as her children), devoted grandchildren, Mary and Rolando Hawes of Colonial Heights, Virginia, Mekiayla Surley-Bickham, Makayla Ward and Aric Bickham, Jr., of South Chesterfield, Jeremiah Duncan, of Petersburg, Virginia; great grandchildren, Te'Jon Surley Ja'Mier Cross-Jackson both of South Chesterfield, Virginia, Kayden Hawes-Rowe, Semaya Surley, Semira Surley and Marcasia Mock all of Colonial Heights, Virginia; honorary grandchildren, Jame's Tucker and Alexandra Hagans both of South Chesterfield, Virginia; devoted friend, Ramona Hyde (Wayne) of Atlanta, Georgia; devoted nieces, Terry Bolling of South Chesterfield, Virginia and Vickie Tony; sisters-in-law, Alice Whitlow (Kermit) and Eleanor Hill (Robert) of both of Chesterfield, Virginia, Cynthia Goodwyn (J. Boisseau) of South Chesterfield, Virginia; brothers-in-law, Irvin Surley, Warren Surley, Benjamin Surley and Samuel Surley (Rose) all of Chesterfield Virginia, Herbert Surley (Gloria) of Petersburg, Virginia and Wayne Surley (Francine) of Richmond, Virginia; and a host of nieces, nephews, and children in the community that she held near and dear to her heart.

Services will be held 3:00 P.M., Saturday, July 11, 2026, in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/6044255?fl=so&fe=fs