Joy Knox Willis, 63, of Beaufort, North Carolina, passed away at her home on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

A memorial service to honor Joy’s life will be held at 12 p.m., Wednesday, June 10th at Munden Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In celebration of Joy’s vibrant spirit and her love of all things purple, family and friends are encouraged to wear something with a lot of pizzazz—purple, violet, sparkles, any anything bedazzled. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through her obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website.

Joy was born on July 4, 1962, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to the late Marvin Paul Knox and Nancy Irene Whitehurst Knox. She graduated from East Carteret High School, where she proudly served as a majorette in the band and remained a devoted supporter of her fellow band alumni throughout her life. Deeply rooted in her Beaufort community, Joy loved participating in local parades and proudly represented the town she cherished.

Joy was truly one of a kind. With her dry sense of humor and quick wit, she could make those around her laugh with ease. Her vibrant personality, infectious smile, and fun-loving spirit made her the life of the party wherever she went. If you knew Joy, you knew that purple was her favorite color. So much so that she proudly painted her front porch purple. She had a deep appreciation for flowers, possessing an impressive knowledge of countless varieties.

Joy loved music and enjoyed singing karaoke, dancing, and sharing fun times with friends and family. Joy also had a special compassion for animals and treasured the time she spent walking and caring for her beloved dogs. Joy loved to travel, explore new places, and meet new people. In recent years, she especially enjoyed her adventures and time spent with her dear friend, Don.

More than anything, Joy was a gentle, loving, and unique soul with a kind heart and a remarkable ability to see the good in everyone she met. Her compassion knew no bounds, and the love she freely gave to others was one of her most cherished qualities. Whether helping an elderly neighbor, offering a listening ear, or lending a hand to someone in need, Joy always put others before herself. Her warmth and generosity touched countless lives and left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Joy was a member of Ann Street United Methodist Church and also attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Above all else, she cherished her family. She was a faithful and loving caregiver to her father during his final days, a role she embraced with unwavering dedication and love.

Above all else, Joy cherished her family. Nothing brought her greater happiness than being a grandmother. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and she treasured every moment spent with them.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her sons, Jeremy Turnage and wife Ellen of Newport, NC and Adam Willis and wife Christian of Beaufort, NC; stepdaughter, Toni Marie Willis; grandchildren, Alex Grayson Turnage and Ellie Grace Willis; step-grandchildren, Jordan, Junuh, and Alyssa; and beloved friend, Don Dudley.

In addition to her parents, Joy was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel “Danny” Allen Willis and brother, Tommy Knox.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the East Carteret Marching Band, 3263 Highway 70 East, Beaufort, NC 28516.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.