Joyce Kathryn Pona

It is with great sadness that we announce Joyce K. (Mabray) Pona 85, passed away after a short illness, on Monday June 14, 2021. She was born in Providence on July 13, 1935 to the late Deacon James G. Mabray Sr. and Germaine S. (Sims) Mabray.

She attended Hope High school. She was known in her youth as a singer and was accepted to Conservatory of Music, and she was also a  Bob Fisher model. She retired from General Electric after 34 years, where she was a steward and the 1st African-American female president of Local 215 AFL-CIO. She was a volunteer and member of St. Martin DesPorres senior center since 2007.  She was also a former member of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge order of the Golden Circle.

She was preceded in death by her brothers James G. Mabray  and Glenn G. Mabray her sisters Lois A. Gomes and Cleo J. Lopez,  Barbara Shaw, and Delores Varella

Survived by daughters, Kathryn Davis, April Pona Russell (Stephen), Denise Johnson, Kimberly Pona  grand children Tisha Almeida,  Jazmyn Johnson, Blake Johnson and Paris Russell. Also Survived by brother in law John Gomes and sister in law Joyce Mabray, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends .

Special thanks to Evergreen House Health Center and Hope Hospice and Palliative Care.

Flowers are welcome, or donations in her name can be made to :

If sending via mail

Hope Health Hospice

1085 N. Main Street

Providence,  RI 02904

If sending online-

hopehealthco.org (ways to give, donate now)

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To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.