Joyce Lathan Woodhouse

Born

Joyce was born, beginning a life that would touch many hearts.

Joyce childhood home

House on the Lathan farm where Joyce was raised

Graduated

Joyce graduates from Prospect school

Started college/university

Elected College Chair of Young Democrats. Joyce developed her lifelong passion for politics at Pfeiffer, where she was the chair of the College Democrats. It was there she first met her future employer and lifelong friend, future Governor and U.S. Senator Terry Sanford.

Enjoying the Beach

Ed and Wilson’s faithful double date

A simple double date outside Misenheimer, North Carolina, changed the course of history. Two brothers, Ed and Wilson Woodhouse, had their eyes on Joyce Lathan and Betty Ann Smith—Ed eyeing Joyce, and Wilson keen on Betty Ann. But fate—and, as Joyce would have said, the good Lord—intervened when the two ladies sat in different than expected seats in an old Chevy, charting the course for two marriages, six children, and 17 grandchildren. Betty Ann and Joyce became more than sisters in law; they were lifelong friends to the very last day.

Joyce at North Myrtle Beach-cocktail waitress

Joyce spends the summer at the beach working as a cocktail waitress

Joyce attends 1960 DNC Convention

The 1960 Democratic National Convention was held: Date: July 11–15, 1960 Location: Los Angeles, California That’s the convention where John F. Kennedy secured the Democratic nomination for president. This picture hung in the Woodhouse home for decades. Two 1960's political legends. Governor Sanford and President Kennedy

Governor Sanford Elected

Joyce and Wilson helped devise a young voter, get out the vote effort for Terry Sanford. Sanford faced a strong opponent for the governor's race, Robert L. Gavin, a moderate conservative Republican attorney. Gavin denounced Sanford as a tool of the liberal leadership of the national Democratic Party and organized labor. Although his reputation had been harmed by his early endorsement of Kennedy, Sanford enthusiastically campaigned for the two of them. He attacked Gavin for contradicting himself on several occasions and for displaying a lack of familiarity with certain issues. In the November election both Kennedy and Sanford won the offices they sought. Kennedy won the popular vote in North Carolina. Sanford won with 54.3 percent of the vote, approximately 131,000 votes over Gavin, but his performance was lackluster for a Democrat seeking state office at the time. Sanford remained proud of his gubernatorial victory for the rest of his life, feeling he had defeated a racist candidate (Lake) and avenged Graham's loss in 1950. Sanford was sworn in as Governor on January 5, 1961.

Governor Sanford Takes office. Joyce assumes leadership as administrative assistant to the Governor

Joyce Woodhouse helped elect Terry Sanford and she went with him to the Governor's Mansion in Jan. 1961. As governor of North Carolina from 1961 to 1965, Sanford focused on strengthening education, combating poverty and expanding civil rights. During his tenure state expenditures for public schools nearly doubled. He supported desegregation at a time when other Southern politicians were continuing to fight it. Sanford was later recognized as one of the 10 best governors of the 20th century.

Career milestone

Charlotte News profiles Joyce Lathan and declares “Just about the nicest thing that has happened in the ancient State Capitol building here in the recent months has been the addition of Joyce Lathan.” “The pretty 23 year old brunette from Roughedge is secretary to Gov. Sanford and she has made visits to the Governors office a must sight-seeing stop.”:

Career milestone

Joyce is riding high in the early 1960's. She is the chief Administrator of Sanford Administration, she will soon marry Wilson and begin a family

Career milestone

Joyce Lathan elected Young Democrat National Committee Woman

Joyce pending nuptials is the toast of the newspaper society pages

Every detail of the Woodhouse’s engagement, wedding and Executive Mansion reception is covered in the society pages across the state

Got married

In December 1963, Joyce and Wilson wed at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Raleigh, surrounded by family, friends, and leading Democrats from across the state. Governor Sanford hosted the reception at the Executive Mansion. Joyce remained close to the Sanford family throughout her life. When she retired from teaching in 1991, after 30 years of service to the State of North Carolina, then U.S. Senator Terry Sanford made a surprise appearance and keynoted her retirement dinner.

Coverage of Woodhouse wedding across the state

Joyce and Wilson

Became a parent

Joy becomes the first of three children of Wilson and Joyce Woodhouse. Brad would follow two years later in 1965

Senator offers Congrats

U. S. Senator B. Everette Jordan sent Joyce and Wilson congrats on the birth of their daughter. “I know that Joy will add much joy to your home…”

Joyce begins her 26 year teaching career

Became a parent

Brad is born in 1967. While Joyce loved all her children, Brad is her favorite and will remain so until the end

Joyce-Classroom teaching

Photo via Cary High yearbook

Joyce and Joy

Family Photo

Joyce, Brad and former Gov. Sanford

Former Governor Terry Sanford visits with Joyce and Brad in roughly 1972

Dallas Woodhouse Born

Joyce and Wilson's Post Script was born. Born on just three days before Mother's Day, Celebrating Mother's Day and Dallas' birth became an annual tradition. Once every 6-7 years, Dallas' birthday and Mother's Day was the same Day. 1981 1987 1992 1998 2009 2015 2020 2026

Joyce and Dallas-His first birthday

Joyce and Wilson

Summers at the pool

Joyce used to joke that the three best things about teaching were June, July and August. The family spent many days at nearby Northbrook pool where the family were members for many years. Here Joyce is with Dallas

Career milestone

Joyce becomes Executive Director of the NC Corn Growers Association, a position she held for 35 years. Joyce also led the N.C. Small Grain Growers Association. Joyce was dedicated to famers all across North Carolina.

Corn Growers

Joyce was the Executive Director of the Corn Growers Association for 35 years. Not only was she passionate about hard working NC farmers, the position allowed her to travel all over the United States and overseas, including China to promote North Carolina Agriculture

Joy High School Graduation

Three Generations. Eunice Lathan, Joyce Lathan Woodhouse and Joy Woodhouse as she graduates Broughton High

Joyce becomes guardian of Nicaraguan refugees

In the 1980's Joyce and Wilson Woodhouse took guardianship and helped raise several Nicaraguan teenagers. Roberto Gomez (pictured here) lived with the Woodlouse's for several years. He graduated from High School with Brad, and they were close in age. The Nicaraguan familes were fleeing because they were targeted by the new, bloody communist Sandinista regime. The Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) is a left-wing political and militant movement in Nicaragua. Named after 1930s anti-imperialist guerrilla Augusto César Sandino, the Sandinistas famously overthrew the brutal, U.S.-backed Somoza family dictatorship in July 1979 after a bloody insurrectionary civil war. The Aftermath: The resulting civil war cost thousands of lives and severely damaged Nicaragua's economy before the Sandinistas were defeated in the 1990 presidential elections.

Joyce-Passionate about sports

From David Thompson, to Jim Valvano to Phillip Rivers, Joyce loved everything about NC State sports. But more than that she loved all sports, and passed on that passion down the line

Joyce and Wilson celebrate Christmas

Joyce with her mother and siblings

photo taken with Joyce, her mother (Eunice Lathan-Seated) From left to right, Sisters Chole, Helen, Brother L.C., Joyce herself and Carol. Mom was close to all her siblings until they all passed before her. Joyce's mother passed in 1989

Joy Wedding

Beloved son in law, Daniel Hart joins the Woodhouse clan when he marries Joy at the Brooks Ave Church of Christ in Raleigh

Joy and Daniel Hart married

Wilson and Joyce at Joy and Daniel's wedding

Joyce and Joy

Joyce and Wilson 1988

Woodhouse family Christmas

Date approx

Joint Woodhouse Family Christmas-Joyce and Betty Ann

From the time they met in the late 1950's until death, sisters-in-laws Joyce and Betty Ann Woodhouse were the best of confidents and friends. They also planned annual joint Woodhouse Christmas Eve gatherings that brough both sides of the Woodhouse families together for decades

Ed and Wilson Woodhouse and families gather at Christmas

Dallas graduates High School, Joyce retires from teaching

Joyce retires after 30 years of State Service. 4 with the Governor, 26 teaching at Cary High.

U.S. Senator Terry Sanford appears at Joyce retirement party

1991, was a monumental year in Joyce's life. In the early part of the year, Wilson had emergency heart surgery and 5 by-passes. Joyce retired from teaching to continue her other 2 jobs (Corn and Small Grain) From his hospital bed, Wilson called his sister-in-law and asked her to help with a surprise retirement party. Former Governor Terry Sanford, who was a U.S. Senator at the time surprised Joyce for the event.

Joyce and Wilson purchase their beloved North Myrtle Beach Vacation Home

Joyce and Wilson purchase a 3 bedroom 2 bath Patio home in North Myrtle Beach, 300 yards from the Atlantic Ocean. Countless wonderful memories are generated here by friends and family

Became a grandparent

Nobody loved being a grandmother more than Joyce. Bradley Hart, was the first born.

Joyce celebrates Dallas Campbell graduation

Joyce celebrates Dallas graduation from Campbell, along with Mothers day and Dallas' birthday. When Dallas graduates, Joyce and Wilson have successfully watched their three children become college graduates and paid for their college, all at private or out of state instutitions of higher education

Hurricane Fran strikes Woodhouse family home

Wilson Woodhouse narrowly escapes death as Hurricane Fran sends tree slicing through family home on Hillock Drive. Joyce and Wilson quickly find place to live, and get businesses and career responsibilities up and running. Joyce and Wilson would move back in roughly a year later

Fran was brutal

The tree sliced through the bed that Wilson normally sleeps in. He was in the restroom at the time and was stuck for a short time trying to get out. Joyce was in another part of the home. Both safe but home was extremely damaged

Became a grandparent

Christopher Hart, Joyce's second grandchild is born. Over the years, Christopher and his care became a driving force in Joyce's life. When had her viral C-Span Moment, she starred in a fundraising event with the Autism Society of NC, in honor of Christopher

Final Regular Season Game at Reynolds

Joyce and her beloved brother L.C. Lathan attend the final regular season NC State Men’s Basketball game at William Neal Reynolds Coliseum, before moving to the new ESA (Now Lenovo) Arena. It was one of hundreds of games LC and Joyce attended together. These two siblings were as think as thieves, bonding over sports, agriculture, and family. Joyce remained close to all of L.C.’s children and grandchildren to her final days

Husband Wilson Woodhouse Dies

Wilson Whaley Woodhouse passed away on July 26, 1999, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was a 65-year-old veteran born on January 16, 1934, in Currituck, NC. He was the son of Wilbur Bradley Woodhouse and Eunice Pauline Whaley. Siblings: His siblings included Edwin "Ed" W. Woodhouse and Betty Jane Woodhouse, who proceeded him in death. Burial: He was laid to rest at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh, Wake County, NC.

Became a grandparent

Joy delivers twins, Harrison and Allison. Harrison is Joyce's 3rd grandson and Allsion is Joyce's 1st granddaughter

July 4th

Joyce joins Brad, Jessica, Christine and Dallas to celebrate Joyce’s July 3rd and America’s July 4th Birthday in the Nations Capitol

Joyce and Dallas-Son Mom Dance at Dallas and Christine's wedding

Dallas marries Christine

Dallas marries the former Christine Ischer. To her dying days, Joyce says that Christine was the best thing that ever happened to Dallas. Christine and Joyce were close to the end, and Christine was critical in Joyce's later years care.

Joyce’s immediate family

As it existed at the time, April 7th 2001

Joyce celebrates Halloween with Dallas and Christine

Joyce attends Gator Bowl with family

Joyce attends Gator Bowl with family. NC State and Notre Dame played each other in the Gator Bowl on January 1, 2003, with NC State securing a dominant 28–6 victory. Quarterback Philip Rivers was named the game's MVP, throwing for 228 yards and two touchdowns to cap off an 11-win season for the Wolfpack. pictured here, Buddy Flake, L.C. Lathan (brother) Bard Woodhouse and his wife Jessica Carter, Bradley Hart, Bill Gilbert and Dallas Woodhouse

Joyce moves into Condo-Meets Margo Froehlich

At Dallas' insistence, Joyce sells 2109 Hillock Drive and moves 2 miles north, to The Battery, condo complex, where she meets neighbor Margo Froehlich. The two share many enjoyable times together, and Margo assists in every way possible as Joyce progresses in age.

Brad and Jessica Carter wedding

Joyce gains beloved Daughter in-law

Brad marries Jessica Carter in Orange County California in an outdoor ceremony overlooking the crystal blue Pacific ocean. Jessica Carter becomes cherished member of the Woodhouse clan

Brad and Joyce wedding dance

The highlight of Moms life watching her favorite child walk across the Pacific ocean and be delivered from the heavens for his wedding to Jessica.

Jessica and Brad married. Joyce flys coffee pot to Orange County California

A stunning and beautiful Jessica Carter marries Brad Woodhouse overlooking the Pacific Ocean near her childhood home in Orange County. The cross country wedding brought all the Woodhouse’s’ and many of the Lathan families together. Joyce, who loved her coffee like nobody else, brought her own coffee pot and froze a pint of cream to take with her. Orange County had a dozen coffee shops near the hotel and wedding site, but Joyce is going to Joyce when it comes to her coffee.

Joyce attends final Phillip Rivers NCSU game with family and friends

Game: 2003 Tangerine Bowl Date: December 22, 2003 [en.wikipedia.org] Result: NC State 56, Kansas 26. Joyce attended with L.C. Lathan-Brother, sons Brad and Dallas, grandson Bradley among many others

Joyce’s 50th Class Reunion

Mom’s 50th High School Class Reunion

Became a grandparent

Joyce passed her love for sports on to Jackson, the first of two sons, born to Dallas and Christine. Jackson also became a carbon copy of his Grandmother Joyce when it comes to being an A+ Smart aleck

Became a grandparent

Growing up at grandmommy’s

Jackson in his crib at Grandmommy. Joyce was key in helping look after all four of Joy and Daniel’s children and both of Dallas’ and Christine. Her home was the home away from home for her grandchildren

Became a grandparent

Brady becomes Joyce's 6th grandchild. He is pictures with his sister Taylor Woodhouse, both are children of Jessica Carter and Brad Woodhouse

The Birthday Club-Women of Brooks Ave

One of the great joys of mom’s life were her good friends from Brooks Ave, also known as the “Birthday Club”. The annual mother-daughter Christmas lunch was not to be messed with or missed. Sandra Mills, Betty Ann Woodhouse, Marcy Matthews, Doretha Moore, and many others through the years formed a bond of love, faith and friendship. This photo is one of the first attended by daughter in-law Christine, who attended every year for nearly two decades with Joyce.

Became a grandparent

Dallas and Christine's second son, Cooper is born. Joyce is huge part of Cooper's life. Cooper often walks to see his grandmother at her condo and later brings her meals and often visits her at Terra Bella

2008 Democratic Convention

Joyce attends DNC (Obama) convention with Brad and niece Angie Flake. Joyce first attended the DNC in 1960

Joyce celebrates Dallas graduation from NC State (Masters of Arts)

Became a grandparent

Joyce's final grandchild, Taylor Woodhouse is born. The 8th grandchild but only the second granddaughter

All 8 of Joyce's grandchildren

Joyce snaps photo of her legacy, all 8 grandchildren. Christmas 2010

Woodhouse-Divided premier

Joyce stars in the documentary “Woodhouse Divided” by Bryan Miller illustrates the political divide between the real life political version of the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots: the Woodhouse brothers, Brad and Dallas. tarting in the run-up to the health care debate in 2009 to the fallout of the 2012 election, Miller traces their professional and familial dust-ups, including Thanksgiving dinner, which their fellow family members regard with seasoned eye-rolling. “I try to get them not to talk about politics, but it doesn’t work,” their mother Joyce, a former staffer for North Carolina Gov. Terry Sanford says in the film. “Sometimes, I would just prefer they not talk about their mother,” she also says, referring to an on-air argument that plays out before millions. At a screening of the movie on Sept. 4 at Landmark’s E Street Cinema, the brothers kept up the schtick, like two pro wrestlers taunting one another across the mat. “

Joyce goes viral

Joyce becomes a viral star, surprising her two sons by calling into C-Span's Washington Journal

Joyce and Dallas attend Sweet 16

Joyce and Dallas loved ACC and tournament basketball. They attended their first ACC tournament together in the late 1980’s and many other times. After a long NC State dry spell they attended the Sweet 16 together in the Carrier Dome in 2105

Joyce-Easter 2015

Joyce celebrates Easter in 2015

Joyce Meets President Obama at White House Correspondents Dinner

White House correspondents' dinner

Joyce looked her best to meet the President and her fans. It was a very special night for Joyce. Brad and Dallas

News and Observer spends Thanksgiving at Joyce's Condo

In December of 2014, millions of people met Joyce Woodhouse for the first time. Her two sons were on C‑SPAN, debating politics from opposite sides, when a caller came through… and one of them said: “Oh God… it’s Mom.” She didn’t call to argue politics. She called to restore a little peace… to remind her boys that, even in disagreement, they were still family. That moment went viral. But three years later, when a News & Observer reporter spent Thanksgiving Day with the Woodhouse family in Raleigh, he discovered something important: That moment wasn’t unusual. He wrote that the holiday included“plenty of bickering”—the kind people might expect. [newsobserver.com] But what stood out more was something else. “Mostly… fun and laughter.” [newsobserver.com] Because at the center of it all was Joyce. The entire gathering happened at her home—because even with a broken foot, she wanted her family there. [newsobserver.com] And like always, when the arguments went too far, she stepped in. At one point, as her sons went back and forth across the table, she cut through it the only way she knew how: “Would you just shut up?” [newsobserver.com] And just like that… the moment passed. Not because the disagreements disappeared— but because they were never the most important thing. The reporter noticed how conversations were gently steered away from topics“unfit for children’s ears.” [newsobserver.com]

Extended family trip to Lake Junaluska

Joyce regularly traveled with Angie Flake, Laurie Knight and Melanie Farlow and extended family to the Methodist retreat at Lake Junaluska.

Mother’s Day 2021

Joyce and Dallas, Mother’s day and Dallas birthday 2021

Joyce on the Beach

Joyce takes a roll on the beach. Escorted by Grandson Jackson, future granddaughter in-law Lillie Wright, and beloved daughter in-law Christine

Best of friends for life

Joyce and Betty Ann, together at Dallas and Christine’s house. Their friendship endured more than 6 decades

Christian’s with Brady and Taylor

Jackson High School Graduation

Joyce attends Jackson Woodhouse graduation from North Raleigh Christian Academy

Brad escorts Joyce to Martha’s Vineyard

Joyce at grandparents day-

Christmas with Brad's family: Brad, Jessica, Brady and Taylor

Joyce visits North Myrtle Beach

Jackson, Cooper and Dallas Woodhouse along with Lillie Wright escort Joyce to the newly renovated home in North Myrtle. One of her last visits to her beloved home away from home.

Harrison and Allison visits Grandmommy

Joyce celebrates Sandra and David Mills Anniversary

Joyce celebrates her close friends Sandra and David Mills 65th Wedding Anniversary

Joyce and Cooper on High School Graduation Day

Cooper graduates High School, from Fletcher Academy. While Joyce can't attend, she visits with Cooper Woodhouse right after

Brad and Dallas with Joyce