Mrs. Joyce Annette Collier Gies, 90, of Lillington passed away Friday, March 5, 2021 at her home surrounded by her children. She was born in Wake County, the daughter of the late John David Collier and Frances Inez Mills Collier Ausley, Samuel Hal Ausley, who from age 10 she considered him to be her father. In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Arthur Gies; sisters, Maydell Hatley, Ann Marie Emig; brothers, Wyatt Ausley, Doyce Ausley, Sam Ausley, Elbert Ausley. Joyce worked 20 years in Civil Service. After retirement, she worked as an apartment manager and was heavily involved in the Arts performing at Fayetteville Little Theatre, Bordeaux Dinner Theatre and The Fort Bragg Playhouse. She was very supportive of her son David's successful professional career in Putt-Putt Golf which ultimately led to a career in golf management.  In 1983, Joyce moved to NYC to help her daughter Jayme pursue her passion of dance. While living in NYC, she was a member of the only Southern Baptist Church in Manhattan, Metro Baptist Church. Her love of the arts was rewarded with several opportunities in television shows, commercials, and movies. She enrolled in acting classes at the age of 60 to fine tune her acting skills. In 1991, Joyce moved to Las Vegas to join Jayme and continue her education at UNLV, studying acting which she applied to her comedy duo team with Gloria Malgarini called "The Grannys" and additional television and movie opportunities. Joyce continued to visit friends and family in Harnett County each year despite the distance. After participating in the Lillington Centennial Celebration, she returned to Las Vegas encouraging her daughter to pursue her passion of opening a dance studio in Lillington. Shortly after moving back, she fulfilled her dream of starting the Heart of Harnett Playhouse producing over 20 musicals and plays. She continued her work with the Playhouse until her health would no longer allow. Joyce was an active member of Lillington Baptist Church attending Sara Womble's Sunday school class.

Joyce is survived by her son, David Collier Gies of Fort Mill, SC; daughter, Jayme Gies of Lillington, NC; grandchildren, Amanda Gleason and husband Joey, David Gies II and wife Ali, Austin Luke Chapman and Jenna Grace Chapman; sister, Mary Jones of Southport, NC; nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at Lillington Baptist Church with Rev. Daniel Selman and Rev. Robbie O'Quinn officiating. Burial will follow in Harnett Memorial Park. The family will receive friends in the church sanctuary Wednesday from 1:00-2:00 PM.

In accordance with current North Carolina COVID-19 guidelines, the funeral home requests that everyone in attendance practice social distancing and wear a face covering.