Joyce "Joy" Nielson

Joyce (Joy) Rannow Nielson, 87, of High Point, N.C., passed away on March 26, 2021. Joy was born in Racine, Wis., on May 6, 1933, to the late Edna and Carl Rannow. A devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Joy cherished her family. While raising four children, the family attended First Presbyterian Church in High Point and spent many happy times together boating, fishing and enjoying the outdoors. For 33 years, Joy worked as a nursing assistant and certified med tech at Wesleyan Arms Assisted Living in High Point, where she treated the residents in her care with kindness and dignity. In retirement, she found great pleasure in watching movies, golf and baseball, was an avid reader and enjoyed watching the birds and animals at her feeders. Surviving are daughter, Terry Hawks (Mark) of Martinsville, Va.; sons, Steven Nielson (Helyn Grace) of Raleigh, and Paul Nielson (Claudia) of Winston-Salem; brother, David Rannow (Pat) of Racine, Wis.; grandchildren, Allison Hawks (Arnaldo Acosta), Lindsay Hawks Lamon (Brian) and Neil Hawks (Natalee); great-grandchildren, Clyde, Rowan, Gabriela and Jack; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. In addition to her parents, Joy was preceded in death by sisters, Carol Gilsoul (Carl), Mabel Tyree (Earl) and Dorothy Rannow; brother, Raymond Rannow; son, Grant Nielson; and former husband, Robert Nielson. The family would like to express their gratitude to the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home nurses and nursing assistants for their caring support and to the music therapist whose singing of Joy’s favorite hymns brought much comfort during her final days. A private celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com