Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Joyce Daly Groce, 91, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, who passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2024, at Lincoln Manor.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home. Burial followed in Higgins Cedar Hills Memorial Gardens.

Joyce was born on July 22, 1933, in Giles County, Tennessee, to the late Mason Henry Daly and Ethel Coble Daly. Mrs. Groce was a devoted member of the Mimosa Church of Christ and worked as a teacher’s aide at Eighth District School. Fondly known as “Mama Joyce,” she was cherished by all who knew her.

Survivors include her children, Sandra (Jerry) Smith and Tony (Dianne) Groce; grandchildren, Nicole (Danny) Treola, Kristopher Smith, Kevin (Ashley) Reese, Bethany (J.R.) Posey, Jeffrey (Cara) Groce, Brandon (Danielle) Groce, and Mary Beth (Jason) Goode; great-grandchildren, Caragan Treola, Chace Treola, Lane (Baleigh) Smith, Daisy Smith, Kayla (James) White, Aspen Reese, Reese McDow, Jax Reese, Ashleigh Groce, Levi Groce, Katie Beth Groce, Wyatt Groce, Eli Groce, Livi Kate Groce, Tyler Goode, and Lexie Goode; and great-great-grandchildren, Brynlee Pruitt, Brantley Groce Mason, and Sawyer Smith.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Gene Groce; daughter, Teresa Reese; and brothers, Horace Daly and Howard “Bab” Daly.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, Inc., PO Box 111180, Nashville, TN 37222-1180; Hands of Mercy Outreach Center, PO Box 1215, Fayetteville, TN 37334; or Junior’s House CAC, PO Box 1062, Fayetteville, TN 37334.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Lincoln Manor for the exceptional care provided to their mother.