Joyce received music instruction in piano, violin and voice from her mother, Hazelle C. Bass. Joyce continued her music studies at USC. She enjoyed a career as an administrative assistant at Atlantic Richfield and Company. She also operated a neighborhood daycare nursery. For many years, she was the director for the adult and youth choirs at the Second Temple Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. Joyce has continued her studies at Los Angeles City College with an emphasis on Art History.