Sarah Joyce Wingo 88 of Empire, Alabama passed away Saturday July 4, 2026. She was the strongest and most loving woman! She was born in Dora in 1937 into a loving family of four (she was the second child with Betty, Nila Kay and Larry as her siblings) and Rufus and Nell Glover as her amazing parents. She graduated Dora High School and went to work in Birmingham shortly afterward marrying the love of her life, Jimmy Wingo. They were married for 47 years before he passed away in 2004. She worked for many years in the school system at both Empire and Sumiton Elementary Schools and in the summer at the Dora Bank. She became the primary caregiver for her mother Nell until Nell passed at age 101.
She is survived by her loving daughter Kathy Monroe, her devoted son-in-law Donald Monroe and her beloved nieces (Jane, Jimmie Nell, Anita, Cindy, Crystal, Lisa, Pam) and nephews (Terrell, Alan, Eddie, Ronnie and Richie).
Joyce was blessed by her amazing church family (New Canaan Baptist Church); her best friends of the Autumn Club, her close group at the Fitness Factory, her loving group at Monday night Yoga class, her remaining high school classmates who routinely still meet for lunch, her fantastic neighbors, and her former work colleagues from the Walker County School system.
She was a devoted Christian and felt the key to a happy long life was to pray and keep moving! Many thanks to all who prayed and supported her and her family through this recent illness and to all who have made her time on earth so full of joy and love.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 8, 26 at 2:00 PM in the New Horizon Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in New Horizon Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 12:30- 2:00 PM in the chapel.
In lieu of flowers, make donations to the New Canaan Baptist Church on venmo (@NewCanaanEmpire) or cash app ($NewCanaanEmpire) or mail a check to New Canaan Baptist Church 4140 Coon Creek Road Empire Al 35063
New Horizon Memorial Funeral Home 205-648-2323
