- Date Of Birth: September 10, 1940
- Date Of Death: August 12, 2017
- State: Maryland
Joyce Novelina Makonnen was born to the late Ethel Mae Green and Laczian Turner on September 10, 1940. Early Saturday morning on August 12, 2017, an angel stopped by Cherry Lane Nursing Home in Laurel, Maryland and said, “come with me. Your work here is done; you have been a good and faithful servant. You have endured pain and difficulty with a smile, therefore, you have earned your reward”.
Joyce attended school in South Carolina and graduated from Twin City High School on June 6, 1958. After being separated from her family due to unforeseen circumstances, Joyce migrated to Washington, D.C. It was there that she met the love of her life, Tekeste Makonnen, Sr.. They married on July 23, 1960 and from this union had two children. Unfortunately, Tekeste had to return to Ethiopia due to visa issues resulting in them losing contact for the next couple decades. While separated, Joyce met Zhebora Major and from that union bore a beautiful daughter. In his father’s absence, Tekeste, Jr. would ask any Ethiopian he came across if they knew a Tekeste Makonnen, Sr. and eventually his perseverance was rewarded, finally word had returned to Ethiopia that his family was looking for him. After 26 years, Tekeste was able to return home to his family. Upon his return, Joyce worked tirelessly to bring his four children from Ethiopia and had loved them unconditionally since their arrival.
Joyce was a bit of a perfectionist and a dedicated employee. Her career carried her from The Peoples Drug Store, IRS, Howard University and The American Federation of Government Employees, also known as AFGE. She retired from AFGE after 9 years in 2006. Joyce was a busy body and became restless as a retiree and returned to work at the Art and Drama Institute as an administrator. She truly enjoyed this position and was excited to work every day. Joyce also worked diligently at New Home Baptist Church on the new member committee.
In her spare time, she started her own business, “Makonnen’s Personal Imaging” making programs, bookmarks, cards and several other stationary products for anyone who needed them. She was great at making her family feel special by creating cards to give to them for any special occasion with images and sweet personal messages.
Her greatest strength was helping others. She would do anything asked without complaining and without asking for anything in return. She loved to be everywhere at any time as long as she was helping. Her passion was driving long distances to see her relatives. She was a dedicated mother who loved her children. She was the family nucleus and confidant, always listening without judgement. She made her family laugh with the many faces she would make and could make a $20 outfit look like a million bucks.
Joyce struggled with diabetes and due to complications associated with her illness, she was transferred to a nursing home in February where she remained.
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