Joyce Elaine Whitenhill

Reflections for Joyce Elaine Whitenhill Joyce Elaine was born in Louisville, Kentucky on October 4, 1950, to the union of George and Marie Whitfield and accepted Christ at an early age. At the age of three, the family moved to Chicago, Illinois where she attended Henry Horner Elementary School near their home on 43rd and Federal. The family later relocated to a newly built townhome community, London Towne Houses Co-Op, on the south side of Chicago where she became a member of the Londonaires, a teenage social group and met lifelong friends and her husband, Norman Whitenhill. Described by many as a social butterfly and a studious student, Joyce loved school and always earned good grades. While attending Dunbar High School, she learned tailor skills, sewing dresses for family and friends and learned how to play the flute all while working her first job at the local dry cleaners. After graduating from Dunbar in 1968, Joyce enrolled in the Teacher’s College (Chicago State University). On August 21, 1971, Joyce married her neighborhood sweetheart, Norman. Shortly thereafter, the newlyweds relocated to San Bernardino, California where they resided for four years. Although a military spouse, Joyce always had dreams and ambitions of her own. She enrolled at the University of California, Riverside to continue her studies in education. Upon moving back to Chicago in 1976, Joyce completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at Chicago State University. Immediately after graduation, Joyce started her career in education within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system. Joyce was a dedicated teacher with a focus on elementary education. As Joyce furthered her career, she also grew her family. She was a wife, an educator, and now her proudest title, a mom. After the birth of her children, Jeneen and Nichae, Joyce decided to further her education and earned her Master of Arts in Teachers Education from Roosevelt University in Chicago. Joyce instilled the importance of higher learning in her daughters and family members. Jeneen and Nichae saw their mother’s unwavering love for her students throughout her 30-plus years in the education field. They witnessed their mom spend countless hours planning and organizing various school programs including assemblies, spelling bee competitions and math and reading nights for families. Her daughters and nieces often recall serving as the“unofficial assistants” cutting out letters and pictures for her to use on school bulletin boards or for various activities for her students. Joyce would even test her new learning methods and strategies on her daughters because she knew if it worked on them, it would work for her students. In 1991, Joyce started working at Alex Haley Elementary School (formerly Thomas Brennan School). While there, she served as a mentor for Teachers for Chicago and was promoted to Assistant Principal in 2003. She held that role until retirement in 2012. Although Joyce retired, she did not retreat from helping people or her community. Joyce became a consultant for CPS and continued to be involved with Alex Haley Elementary School where she was instrumental in their playground restoration. Each year Joyce would take flowers and sod to the school to spruce the green space area. Joyce’s many contributions did not go unnoticed. She won numerous awards and accolades for both her professional contributions and contributions made to organizations. In 2017, Joyce was recognized by the 4th District Lay Organization and nominated by Arnett Chapel A.M.E Church for the “Someone You Should Know” award. She was the President of the 121st Street Perry Block Club. She spent time serving the community through the Dunbar Alumni Association, Far South Community Action Council (FSCAC), Phi Delta Kappa, Teachers for Chicago, National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE), Gately Park Council, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Joyce was a 15-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and was initiated into the Lambda Mu Omega Chapter, located in Chicago, where she remained active until her passing. Joyce served as the correspondence secretary for the Lambda Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha and served as the fundraising committee chair for two years, where the most funds were raised in the history of the committee. Joyce was also a committee member for the Lambda Mu Omega Chapter Courtesy, Membership, Protocol, Rituals, Technology, and the HBCU for Life committees, among others she served. A true multitasker, Joyce balanced many hobbies and activities throughout her life. She enjoyed creating ceramics, gardening, shopping, traveling, and cooking for her family, immersing her family in culture, especially in arts and travel. Joyce was an avid traveler and vacationed across all seven continents. She lived life. She experienced life. She loved life. The one who shared stories, gave good advice and guidance, and was steady and firm in her beliefs. Joyce’s patience and love showed through each day. Joyce’s love for her mother was unmatched as she was her mother’s caretaker for the last two years. A nurturing wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother to Peyton and Marcus (Marc). Her grandkids were the apple of her eye. Joyce was gentle, loving, and patient with her grandchildren, and spoiled them to her liking. Joyce was preceded in death by her father, George Whitfield, sister, Ella Gywneth “Gwyn,” and brothers Kenneth “Kenny,” and Travis. Joyce leaves behind to cherish her memory and continue her legacy, her husband, Norman Whitenhill; daughters, Jeneen and Nichae; grandchildren, Peyton and Marcus; mother, Marie Whitfield, aunt; Delores Taylor; siblings, Bernadette, Darren (Victoria), and Arnitria; nieces, Cherie (Rashaan), Bonita, Bailey, and Lynette, and nephew, Sean; great-nephew and niece; Nasir and Nadia; sister-in-law, Renee Whitfield, and a host of close relatives, friends, church members, and sorority sisters. Joyce lived life with grace, kindness, and compassion. There is no doubt that she is in Heaven looking down with pride and a blushing smile. Joyce will be remembered for her calmness, kindness, generosity, laughter, smile, wisdom, and so much more.

Joyce Elaine Whitenhill

October 4, 1950 - May 18, 2023

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Joyce Elaine Whitenhill

October 4, 1950 - May 18, 2023

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