Frances Joyce McCay

Frances Joyce Broome McCay passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Claiborne County Medical Center in Port Gibson, Mississippi. Joyce was 91 years old. Joyce was born and raised in Utica. She spent most of her adult life in Port Gibson, although she had been living in Oxford for the last nine years.

Joyce married the love of her life, Dan Scott McCay on April 7, 1962 and instantly became the mother of Dan’s two children, Bonney Ruth and Linda Ann. She became known as “Mama Joyce” to the girls and eventually everyone in Port Gibson. Joyce could not have been prepared for the instant motherhood and the way she would shape and change the girls lives for the better and they hers.

Joyce loved life and spread joy and happiness to all who knew her. She lived such a full life! Joyce was still living on her own and driving well into her 90th year. Joyce could liven up any room and was always the life of the party. Joyce had a quick wit and a gift for storytelling. Part of what made her stories so special was her memory. She had an uncanny ability to remember names, dates, the most minute details of any story. She could always be relied upon to fill in any bit of information when called upon. Joyce was an avid sports fan and huge supporter of the Ole Miss Rebels. She always had a special place in her heart for her pets, most recently, Mr. Kitty, who had been her constant companion these last few years.

Joyce wore many hats over the years. In her younger years, she worked at Standard Oil in Jackson. She served as a deputy alongside her husband during his tenure as Sheriff of Claiborne County. Then Joyce herself had the distinction of becoming Sheriff from 1968 to 1972. After her husband passed, she was the proprietor of Big Dan’s Liquor Store. Joyce was an active member of Port Gibson United Methodist Church and served in the choir for many many years. Upon moving to Oxford Joyce became a member of Oxford United Methodist Church.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Lillian Earl Ross Broome (Money) and W.R. Broome, as well as her four siblings, William Broome, Jr., Nell Broome Gunn, Earl Cook Broome and Allluta Broome Bailey. Joyce was also preceded in death by her husband, Dan Scott McCay of Port Gibson, Mississippi. Joyce is survived by her children Bonney Ruth McCay Anderson and Linda Ann McCay Headley (Mott), as well as her grandchildren, Dan Michael Lowery (Leigh), Melanie Headley and Mott Roland Headley, III. Her great grandchildren include Maddie Grace Lowery, Ellie McCay Lowery, J.W. Curry, III, Ferris James Headley and Cecile Flowers Headley.

During the last years of her life, Joyce was lovingly cared for by Faye Young, Flo Young, Linda Young, Faristene Webb, Dorothy Blanb, Eula Mooke and Caroline Cunningham.

There will be a graveside service Monday, June 24 at 11 a.m. at Wintergreen Cemetery in Port Gibson. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in her honor be made to Port Gibson United Methodist Church.

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