Mrs. Joyce Allen Hilliard, was born on December 29, 1936 to Leola Allen and Ellis Allen in Portsmouth, VA. She was educated in the Portsmouth Public Schools and attended I.C. Norcom High School. She served as a homemaker for more than 10 years, before working at the GE Plant (Portsmouth/ Suffolk location) where she retired as an Assembly Line Technician.

On February 19, 1957, she became the wife of Aaron Lee Hilliard. They were married at the old First Baptist Church Pinners Point in Portsmouth (now known as New Bethel Baptist Church of Cavalier Manor). From this union, 5 children were born of this wonderful marriage – Aaron Jr., Angela, Debra, Sharon and Yanna. In her spare time, Joyce loved doing crossword puzzles, reading her bible, watching Black and White Westerns such as Gunsmoke, The Virginian, Rifle Man and Big Valley. She also loved watercolor paintings and baking cakes. She was known for her German Chocolate, Pineapple Upside Down and Coconut Cakes; however, her homemade rolls was to die for. Momma also enjoyed cooking cabbage and fried crabs.

Joyce Allen Hilliard was blessed to see 84 years of life and exchanged time for eternity on the afternoon of Sunday, August 8, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband Aaron Lee Hilliard, Sr., her parents Leola Allen and Ellis Allen, and her favorite uncle – Cleandras Nixon. She leaves to cherish her memory her children – Aaron Hilliard, Jr. (Kathy), Angela “Angie” Boyce (Darrell), Debra Hilliard, Sharon Hilliard and Yanna Hilliard; 8 grandchildren, 12 great – grandchildren; one brother – Sherwood Allen of Camden, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.