May 12, 1958, in Los Angeles, CA, God’s Angelic Choir ushered into the care and guidance of Allen and Beatrice Neal, a beautiful baby girl named “Joy!” Just as her name suggests this long awaited baby brought a feeling of great pleasure and happiness to her parents. At a young age, under the leadership of Pastor L.B. Moss, Joy became a member of Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church where it was quickly noticed she had a special anointed angelic voice of exhortation. As a teenager, Joy was nurtured with great spiritual guidance by sisters, Mylie Davis and Roxie Seldom. Sister Mylie taught Joy Biblical Principles and under the tutelage of Sister Roxie, taught Joy to play the piano. Joy graduated from Riverside Poly High School, and enrolled at Riverside Community College where she auditioned and was selected 1st chair soprano of the Nationally renown Riverside Community College Chamber Singers. Joy, faithful in using God’s given talent diligently served the Music Ministry at Park Avenue, in The Sunshine Band, The Youth Choir, Inspirational and Mission Choir, The Voices In Christ, Men’s Chorus, The Adult Choir, Mass Choir and Park Avenue Gospel Singers. For 9 years, under the leadership of Pastor Christopher Mc Shan, Joy “faithfully served“ as minister of music for Providence Baptist Church of Elsinore. Joy’s most recent assignment was at Gospel Ministry under the leadership of Pastor Raul Villegas. Most importantly, Carl Demeron, Joy and husband, Rev. William Grays, were the parents of 2 boys, Allen and Christopher. On April 28, 2015, Allen, while walking to work was a random victim of gun violence by an unidentified assailant. This was a life changing traumatizing loss for the family. Just a few days before departure, Joy was still seeking justice for Allen. The Bible states that Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God's presence and from Hope in His word. On June 8, 2022, with her assignment completed, Joy’s Angelic Voice “became absent from the body and present with the Lord!” Joy entered into eternal rest with her son, Christopher, his wife, Yolanda, Chris’ Mentor, Charles Travers, and Carl Dameron by her side. Also leaving to mourn the loss of Joy is the Park Avenue Church Family, Gospel Ministry Family and many others in the Greater Inland Empire. Joy Neal will always be remembered for using her voice to make a “Joyful Noise!”
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