Reflections of Her Life

Joyce Louise Dillard Feggans, 71, of Esmont, VA, gained her heavenly wings on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at the UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville, VA. Born March 28, 1949, she was the daughter of the late Catheleen Toledo Dillard and George Grant Simpson.

She was baptized early in life and became a member of the Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, where she served faithfully for many years as president of the Youth Choir and Youth Department. Louise or "Nanny" as she was affectionately known, loved good shouting gospel music. Some of her favorite songs were "I Can't Give Up" and "You Can't Run, You Can't Hide" by Lee Williams to name a few. Louise loved the Lord with all her heart! She would get up early on Sunday mornings, prepare her dinner and make her way to church. Always ready to praise her God, she had a saying, "if you don't want to praise him, don't hinder me." Her love and faith in God caused her to never miss church and to pray and praise her way through some serious illnesses regardless of how she felt. Her church family nicknamed Louise and her sisters as the "Shouting Dillard Sisters."

Louise was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and auntie. She loved and adored her children and grandchildren. For their birthdays, she always fixed their favorite meal cooking from morning to evening just as long as they were happy.

Louise touched the lives of many while here on earth. There was nothing she wouldn't do for anyone, especially children. She was the best neighborhood nanny/babysitter and charged very little to share her love with the children. She had a heart of gold and it showed in her everyday life. She was a strong woman who didn't complain much about anything.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis "Zeke" Feggans; a brother, Lawrence Dillard and a sister, Marion Rush. She leaves to cherish memories four children, Racheal and Kristie Feggans of Charlottesville; Curtis Jr. and Dion Feggans of Esmont; two bonus sons who considered her a second mom, Richard Vest and Antonio Jones of Charlottesville; five grandchildren, LaQuanda Vest, Shanika Vest, Darrick Feggans, Te'ara Feggans, and Arianna Jones; three great-grandchildren, Kemari, Kaisen, and Leilani; three sisters, Doris Morris (Maxwell), Cora Anderson (Marchel), and Rebecca Rush (Martin Jr.) all of Esmont; two brothers, Herbert Dillard (Doris) of Orange, VA and Terry Dillard (Dorothy) of Charlottesville; six sisters/brothers-in-law; Rosa Gaines (Earnest), Hazel Banks (Steven), Andrew Feggans (Josephine), Arvin Feggans (Elaine) all of Esmont, Samuel Feggans of Charlottesville, and Alethea Dillard of Virginia Beach, VA; two sisterly cousins, Teresa Jackson of Esmont and Nancy Porter (Wardell) of Charlottesville and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends who will truly miss her.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at 1 p.m. at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, 8825 Chestnut Grove Road, Esmont, VA 22937, with the Pastor Dorn Lewis Officiating. Due to Covid-19 regulations, those wishing to attend are asked to please wear a facial mask and practice social distancing.