Joyce Elaine Burgess Rosenberger was born August 26, 1940, to Anna Gertude Jenkins Burgess and Clark Wilbur Burgess. While her parents lived in Forestville (currently Great Falls), Virginia, she was born in a small log cabin at the end of Springvale Road. (The cabin has been torn down in recent years). Growing up, Clark was a carpenter and Anna was a homemaker. She has an older sister, June Lee Burgess Bacon (Dan) and a younger brother Harold Clark Burgess (Gloria). Joyce attended Great Falls Elementary School and graduated from Herndon High School. As a youth, after all the chores were done, Joyce’s family liked to go dancing at Colvin Run on Saturday nights. Joyce met the love of her life (Warren) who was a sailor in the US Navy through nights out at the Colvin Run dance hall, church at Forestville United Methodist Church, and swimming at River Bend, where Warren’s parents had purchased land and built a cabin, and then a home in what is now Riverbend Park. Joyce and Warren were married in 1959 and had four boys Greg, Jeff, Ron and John. After living in the “Cowley Place” (an old log cabin at the end of Jeffery Road) for a short time, they also built a home on Potomac Hills Street at Riverbend. They later moved to Utterback Store Road and then later to Leesburg, Virginia. Upon Joyce’s retirement, they moved to Six Mile, SC.

Joyce and Warren accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior while attending Franconia Wesleyan Church in the early 1970’s under the leadership of Pastor Ron Wilson. As noted by her current Pastor, Scott Smith, “Joyce was a precious lady who had a vibrant testimony for the Lord and a great love for her family and church.” Joyce was a member of Seneca Wesleyan Church in Seneca, SC. She was never afraid to share her faith with others.

Joyce enjoyed the beach, board games, dominos, being outdoors, and especially ice cream.

Joyce is survived by her sister June (Dan), brother Harold (Gloria), Greg’s wife, Karina and children Ben, David (Abby), and Victoria (Owen); Jeff and his wife Kathi and their children Faith, Nelson, Chris (Renae), Kimberly (Brandon), Katie (Taylor), Kellie (Wayne); Ron; and John and his wife Kim and their children Lauren, Jill (Nate), Adam (Betsy) and Thomas. and numerous great grandchildren: Azaria, Silas, Madelyn, Samuel, Savannah, Zaid, Lydia, Landon, Caden Austin, Adeline, Ryan, Brooks, Garrett, Ruthie, Luke, Wesley, Paityn. Joyce has four nieces and nephews: Dawn, Dan, Russell and Adam.

Joyce was predeceased by her parents, husband, and oldest son Greg. The family appreciates the wonderful care provided by Foothills Assisted Living Staff during the 5 years that Joyce resided there and the care provided by AGAPE Hospice staff during her final months. In the last few years of her life, Joyce often recalled swimming out to a rock in the Potomac near the boat dock. She would climb up on the rock and sing “I’m on the rock hallelujah.” Joyce quit swimming this life on April 24, 2026, at 3:12pm. Now she is standing on the Rock, and no doubt she is singing Hallelujah! Let’s rejoice with her as she enjoys her Heavenly rest. Most of all, let’s be sure that we each will join her there when our days on this earth are over. John 3:16

A celebration of Life service will be held at 2:30 pm on Sunday May 24th, 2026, at Seneca Wesleyan Church 101E Crescent Drive Seneca, SC 29678.

In honor of Joyce’s favorite food group, there will be an ice cream social following the service.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Gideon’s International https://gideons.org/ , World Hope International https://worldhope.org/ , Table Rock Camp & Retreat Center https://www.trrcc.org/ , AGAPE Hospice https://agapecaregroup.com/ , or Foothills Assisted Living https://foothillsassistedlivingsc.com/

The family would like to thank Seneca Rehab and Annie Brown at Brown Funerals for providing Mom’s final earthly care.

Brown Funerals is assisting the family.