Joyce Lee Christian

Joyce Lee Christian passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at her home in Rock Hall on July 17, 2025. She was 85 years old. She was born in Chestertown, MD on June 15, 1940, the only child of James Wilbur “Kizzy” Dowling, Jr. and Genevieve Stevens Dowling. She attended Rock Hall High School. Joyce had many jobs in her life, but she was most well-known for her time bartending at Maggie’s and working at Bayside Foods delivering groceries. She particularly enjoyed her time delivering food to the elderly people of Rock Hall with Bayside, and her time she spent as a caretaker and companion to Mrs. Ellie Hubbard. She was proud of being from Rock Hall, and all of the kids in town knew and loved her. She wasn’t just “Mrs. Christian” or “Joyce” to anyone in Rock Hall – she was either “Mom Mom Joyce” or “Aunt Joyce”, no matter who you were. Her purpose in life was to take care of others. Her door was always open, and she helped raise many children who weren’t her own out of the kindness of her heart and love for children. She never let anyone around her go without a good meal and a place to stay. She was a member of the Rock Hall Seventh Day Adventist Church. She enjoyed playing bingo, going shopping, and long car rides spent listening to music with her loved ones. She was an active grandmother and great-grandmother, attending all of her grandchildren’s events and spending as much time as she could with them. She is survived by her children: Bonnie Whaland Edwards (Ronnie), Bonnie Kay “Tunnie” Bennett, Debbie Lynne Whaland (Charlie), Donald Lawerence Whaland, and Mary Lou Christian; grandchildren: James Colby Usilton (Lauren), Jenna Lynne Edwards, Jacob Whaland Edwards (Melissa), Sierra Diane Whaland, and Autumn Lynne Iacona (Brandon); and great-grandchildren: Lowan Olivia, Logan Whaland, and James Riggs. Services will be held on Sunday, July 27 at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home in Chestertown at 10:00 am. A viewing will be held one hour prior, from 9:00 am – 10:00 am at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Wesley Chapel Cemetery with a reception following at the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company. In addition to flowers, please consider donating to the Rock Hall Seventh Day Adventist Food Pantry “Blessing Bags” in Joyce’s memory at 21366 Sharp St. PO Box 477 Rock Hall, MD 21661.

Joyce Lee Christian

June 15, 1940 - July 17, 2025