Polly Joyce Dixon Hopewell

Polly Joyce Dixon Hopewell, 86, of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Crystal Bluffs Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

A funeral service to honor Joyce’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Salter Path Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. David Bratton and Rev. Donald Thomas. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Salter Path Methodist Church. For those unable to attend, the funeral service may be viewed through Joyce’s obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website.

Joyce was born on March 4, 1939, in Salter Path, North Carolina, to the late Clarence and Edith Dixon. A lifelong resident of the area she loved so deeply, Joyce was a woman of strong faith who loved the Lord and was a devoted member of Salter Path Methodist Church. Her faith guided her life and was evident in the kindness, generosity, and love she showed to everyone she met.

Joyce was known far and wide for her incredible cooking—meals that brought people together and made memories around the table. Her Chicken and Pastry, Conch Stew, Sausage Balls, Pecan Rolls, and Pecan Pies were legendary and will be dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to enjoy them.

Joyce was co-owner of the family business, the Crab Shack, for many years, where she took great pride in managing the restaurant. Later in life, her greatest joy came when her granddaughter, Makenzie, was born. Joyce devoted her time and heart to caring for her, and Mackenzie was truly the apple of her eye.

In her earlier years, Joyce was an active member of the Pilots Club. She loved the thrill of finding hidden treasures at thrift stores and was an enthusiastic Beanie Babies collector. Joyce enjoyed traveling and shopping with her dear friend Juanita, creating memories that brought her so much happiness. One of her favorite adventures was attending the Kentucky Derby—a trip she spoke of often and remembered fondly.

Above all else, Joyce was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved her family beyond measure. She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her warm heart, her love of family traditions, and the countless ways she made others feel cared for.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her son, Craig Guthrie (Pam) of Salter Path, NC; daughter, Paula Nix of New Bern, NC; granddaughter, Makenzie Lewis (Nick) of Newport, NC; great-grandchildren, Kennedy Lewis and Preston Lewis both of Newport, NC; sisters, Grace Frost of Salter Path, NC and Terry Lupton of Morehead City, NC; nieces, Jeanne Cunningham of Salter Path, NC, Norma Normon of Morehead City, NC, and Telena Willis and Tammy Frost, both of Salter Path, NC; nephews, Rodney Frost and Anthony Frost both of Morehead City, NC, Sonny Cunningham and John Cunningham both of Hadnot Creek, NC, and Anthony Lupton of Morehead City, NC; and special friends, Juania Lawrence and Betty Morgan, both of Morehead City, NC.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 23 years, Guy Herman Hopewell Jr.; son, Eric Shawn Guthrie; and sisters, Margaret Cunningham and Carolyn Pittman.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 399, Morehead City, NC 28557 or Salter Path Methodist Church, P.O. Box 70, Salter Path, NC 28575.

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

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