Joyce Marie Ingram, affectionately known as “Jazzy”, was born on Dec. 30, 1944. She was the daughter of the late Grant Hines Sr. and Clara Reid. Mother Joyce departed this life and was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Friday, March 22, 2024.

Mother Ingram was a longtime resident of Norwalk, CT before relocating to Bridgeport, CT. She received her education in North Carolina, where she was born. To say that Mother Joyce was a “hard worker” would be an understatement. She was the embodiment of Ecclesiastes 9:10 – whatever her hands found to do, she did it with all her might. Whether it was working in the cotton fields of North Carolina, teaching others how to install and remove the transmission in their cars, cleaning for large corporations such as hotels and Bradlee’s department store – whatever! Mother Joyce was a master of many trades who believed in rolling up her sleeves and taking care of her loved ones. Her relentless commitment to providing for her family often puzzled her children. Sometimes, they even felt a little embarrassed when she would pick up bottles day and night to help take care of the household. It was Mother Joyce’s unconditional love that empowered her to selflessly focus on doing what needed to be done.

Mother Joyce accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age. Years later, while at a the homegoing service for a family member, she made a life-changing decision. When the invitation was extended for salvation, young Joyce raised her hand and rededicated her life to Christ. Her walk with The Lord shifted to a marathon when she joined Holy Ghost Deliverance Cathedral on January 24, 1999. Mother Joyce was a neat and fancy lady who took pride in her appearance both inside and outside of the house of God. She was a dedicated and loyal member of her church who worked with the Women’s Auxiliary and helped organize the church’s fashion shows. On April 15, 2018, Chief Apostle Ardean Richardson officially consecrated Mother Joyce Ingram as a church mother at Holy Ghost Deliverance Cathedral. Mother Joyce faithfully attended church services until her illness prevented her from doing so.

Loved ones will fondly recall that one of Mother Joyce’s favorite hobbies was catching, cleaning and cooking fish. Those who went fishing with her had no worries because she would take care of everything and even clean their fish for them. Family and friends will always remember this remarkable lady as “Mrs. Joyce” and the “Mayor” of the building in which she lived for over 20 years – no election necessary! She will forever be cherished as a caring woman who opened her home to everyone! Mrs. Joyce was beloved as a strong matriarch of the Terrace in Bridgeport, CT whose heart knew no bounds as she loved on her “neighborhood children” just like they were her own. The fact that those in the neighborhood were not blood did not matter. She still fed them, clothed them (and washed their clothes), gave them money, nursed them back to health when they were sick, and chastised them as needed. Mrs. Joyce was also never hesitant to give out necessary doses of tough love and would often correct you while laughing and smiling. If too much time went by since she last saw one of her “neighborhood children”, please believe that Mayor Joyce was going to look for them!

One meaning of the name Joyce is “joy”. Yellow is a color that signifies happiness, positivity, enlightenment, and caution. It’s only befitting that yellow was Mrs. Joyce’s favorite color. She dedicated her life to exuding the characteristics of her name and of her favorite color yellow at different times. She radiated joy, happiness, and positivity when you were feeling down, and offered enlightenment when you didn’t know what to do. Mrs. Joyce loved to chat and always had sound advice ready for anyone – unless of course you tried to talk to her while “Criminal Minds”, “A-Team”, “Sanford and Son”, or “Murder She Wrote” were on. If you tried that, the yellow she exuded then meant “caution”.

Joyce Marie Ingram was preceded in death by her mother and father, Grant Hines Sr. and Clara Reid; husband, James Ingram; grandson, Gregory Ingram; seven brothers, Grant Hines, Jr., Willie T. Reid, Charles Vines, Bernard Vines, Johnny Reid, Billy Ray Vines, Carlton Vines; five sisters, Dorothy Tyson, Betty Foreman, Linda Vines, Judy Reid, MaryAnn Vines. She leaves to cherish her precious memory five children, Chandra Brown of Bridgeport, CT, Bobbie Ingram of Stratford, CT, April (Stevie) Grasty, Tammy (Joshua) Blake, and Richard Ingram all of Bridgeport, CT; three sisters, Marjorie Parker of Grifton, NC, Elaine Stanton of Edgewood, MD, and Ruth Mose of New Haven, CT; one brother, Jimmy Vines of Grifton, NC; fifteen grandchildren, Ohiguee White, Brandon Brown, Gabriel Ingram, Krisshaya Roberts all of Bridgeport, CT, Mariah Ingram of Whiteville, NC, Myraj Ingram, Jazell Ingram, Tiana Ingram all of Bridgeport, CT, Laylah Ingram of Milford, CT, Lakeisha Ingram, Darnell Ingram, Pashein Young, Tashyra Grasty, Johnathan Grasty, and Dajour White all of Bridgeport, CT; nine great-grandchildren, along with a loving host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.