Mary “Joyce” Redding, 87, originally from South Bend, but became a resident of Cassopolis, Michigan in 2004. She gained her wings on July 6th, 2024, after a long-term illness.  She was born July 22nd, 1937, in South Bend to her maternal mother Lillie B. (McDougle) Whitlock, and her paternal father Alonzo Whitlock Senior.  However, she was raised by her aunts and uncle Mrs. Mattie Mae Jones, Ms. Georgia McDougle and her uncle Mr. Steve Jones.  She graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1955 and attended Indiana University in 1956 but left Indiana University in 1957 to marry Mr. Morris Redding Senior on July 27, 1957.

Joyce was a very active mother in her children’s young lives. She joined the PTA and became Block Parent and held several teacher meetings in her own home. She was also a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. Eventually she became an employee for the Girl Scouts. Her job was to help underprivileged children in the Greater South Bend area. She was also a member of an investment club and a realtor.  She always wanted to become a nurse, so she went back to college and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Ivy Tech University. Her former employers were Ridgedale and Cardinal nursing homes respectively. Joyce loved picnics, camping and attending family reunions. After retirement she became a member of the Minority Coalition in Cassopolis Michigan. She loved baking, gardening, sewing and traveling.

Joyce’s memory will be cherished by her husband Mr. Morris Redding Senior and her five children Ms. Renee Redding, Mr. Morris Redding Junior, Ms. Denise Redding and Mr. Thomas Anthony Redding. Her Sister Ms. Mary Alice Edwards. And her grandchildren Ms. Nyteria Green, Ms. Brittany Harvey, Ms. Janaijah Wilder, Cierra Anderson, and Nathan Green.  And her great grandchildren Ayress Burns and Neferi Lacy. She also leaves behind her nieces and nephews Ms. Giovanna Edwards, Ms. Cecilia (Andrew) Brown, Ms. Gloria (Edwards) White, Mr. Shawn (Rosie) Edwards and Mr. Howard (Dawn) Edwards also several great nieces and nephews, great, great nieces and nephews along with other relatives, family and family friends.  In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her daughter MS. Marcel (Redding) Wilkerson, maternal grandmother, Mrs. Gracie Barnes paternal grandfather Mr. Fred Whitlock and her aunts Mrs. Mattie Mae Jones, Ms. Georgia McDougle and, her uncle Mr. Steve Jones.

If there are roses in heaven, we ask God to pick some for us and give them to Mrs. Joyce Redding and tell her thank you.