August 23, 2024
Camella Joy Thomson née Scheryer was born to Camella and George Scheryer in Lawrence, Kansas on July 17th 1949. Joy attended kindergarten through 12th grade in Albemarle NC.
She went on to earn a Bachelors of Christian Education from Pfeiffer University, graduating in 1971. Joy also achieved a Master’s in fine art from East Carolina University.
Joy was renowned as the Andrew Wyeth of the South. She still has paintings hanging in many businesses and houses in NC as well as the UK and she had gallery appearances in Gloucester and Rockport in the early 1970’s.
Joy met Doug in 1971 at a wedding of Ruth Stanhope. It was love at first sight! Doug even flew for the first time in his life in order to meet Joy in September and again in October of that same year. The got engaged at Christmastime 1971. On May 6th 1973 they married at the Fifer Chapel presided over by Joy’s father, George, and Rev Roger Grambling.
Doug and Joy moved to Raliegh in 1973. Joy worked in publishing eventually becoming the CEO of the Historical Preservations of America. She retired in 1998 after an amazing career. In 2001, Joy moved back to MA to help care for Doug’s parents who were as much her parents as his and Doug followed in 2005.
Joy started the Soldiers Care Packages ministry around 2003. This was her mission and those soldiers were like her children. This is what kept her going for many years. But that wasn’t the extent of Joy’s amazing ministry. She also coordinated the church bazaar, and basically kept everything running. But whatever Joy did she made it fun. At the same time, Joy was the most determined woman to ever live. If she wanted something done you needed to stay out of her way.
Joy and Doug started the annual Mother’s Day breakfast in 2007. The first year they only served scrambled eggs and sausage, but for 80 people it was a lot to keep up with. She switched to a breakfast casserole in order to serve as many people as possible as quickly as possible. It was such a great recipe she often made casseroles and pies for the local firefighters just to give back to them.
Joy also started the Elite Elders to celebrate everyone’s birthday who was over 90 on one day at the end of June so no one ever felt left out.
When Joy came to MA this is where she bloomed. She loved taking care of people and helping them. She brought this amazing warmth to everyone she met.
Joy is survived by her devoted husband, Doug, as well as many cousins on both sides of her family both blood and chosen.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Hingham (https://firstbaptistchurchhingham.com), Soldiers Care Packages (https://firstbaptistchurchhingham.com/soldiers-care), or the New England Wildlife Center (https://www.newildlife.org). A memorial to celebrate Joy Thomson will be held at 11am on Saturday, September 7th, 2024 at the First Baptist Church of Hingham located at 85 Main St Hingham MA. For more information and online guestbook go to www.downingchapel.com–