Joyce Marie (Cruz) Morris, 86, of New Bedford passed away peacefully on Monday July 5 2021 surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Manuel S. Morris.
Born in New Bedford on March 7, 1935 to the late Nicholas and Julia (Oliveira) Cruz, she lived in New Bedford for most of her life.
Joyce graduated from New Bedford Vocational High School, where she was an avid basketball player, and served as Captain of the women’s basketball team. She was a proud member of the Cape Verdean-American Veterans’ Ladies Auxiliary, of which she had served as President. She was also a former member of the William H. Carney Lodge. She volunteered as a foster grandparent for many years in local day care centers. Before her retirement, she worked as a nurse’s aide at Frances P. Memorial Hospital, Taunton State Hospital and the Paul A. Dever State School.
Joyce loved spending time with her family, playing cards, and go to casinos with her friends. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, working on crossword puzzles, and listening to Cape Verdean music.
She leaves behind her children, Robert Crawley and his partner Karen of California, Julia Barnes and her husband Charles of Raynham, Deidra Smith and her partner William of East Falmouth, Manuel “Chuckie” Smith and his wife Jamey of East Falmouth; her loving sister, Marian Cruz-Westgate and her husband George of New Bedford; her grandchildren, Shaylene Correia, Ciara Correia, Donald “DJ” Correia, Chelsea Cintron, Jason Barboza, William Enos, Chanelle Smith, Morgen Morris, Hannah Morris, Devin Morris, Marcus Jones, Natasha Crawley, Robert Crawley Jr., Jason Crawley, Michael Crawley, and Domingo Guyton; 23 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
She was also predeceased by her three sons, Walter “Jay” Crawley, Dwayne N. Morris and Rodney A. Crawley.
Her Funeral will be held on Tuesday July 13, 2021 at 8 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church at 9 AM. Visiting hours will be on Monday July 12 from 4- 8PM. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.