Funeral services took place Nov. 9 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Jersey City, for Joyce Brenda Dowdy. She was born to David and Mary Rice, at Margaret Hague Hospital, Jersey City. She was a graduate of Lincoln High School and Drake Secretarial College. At an early age she accepted Christ and was an active member of St. John’s Baptist Church. She later became a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church and actively participated in the mass choir until her health failed her. She retired from the state of New Jersey after 25 years of service, obtaining the title of Senior Clerk. Brenda was predeceased by her sisters, Linda Wilder and Selena Smith. She leaves to cherish in her memory, her husband James; her children, Robert Garvin (Tanisha) and Joyce Lynn Garvin; parents, David and Mary Rice of Santuck, S.C.; grandchildren, Denasia, Malika, Malia, Miasia, Stacey and Jessica; niece, Vianca Smith; aunts, Martha Rice, Delores Smith, Lena Love, Dorothy Gist (Oscar) and Whelimina Ferguson; godchildren, Robert Lewis, Niya Green; and a host of cousins and friends. Services arranged by the Jackson Funeral Residence, Jersey City.