Joy was born and raised in Pittsfield, Mass. Joy is the daughter of founding members of the Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church (Mr. James and Rev. Louise Williamson) and a lifelong Zionite. Joy’s Zion roots were planted in the Boston District, New England Annual Conference. In 2000, Joy relocated to Delaware and continued her A.M.E. Zion service in the Philadelphia & Baltimore Annual Conference. Joy serves in various capacities in her local church, Transformation A.M.E. Zion Church in Dover, DE, and in the Eastern Shore District of the Philadelphia & Baltimore Annual Conference. She is a Deaconess, Local & District Life Members Chairman, Steward Board Member, Health Ministry, General Conference Delegate, just to name a few. Joy attended her first WH&OM Society Quadrennial Convention in 1983 as a Youth Delegate representing the Boston District, New England Annual Conference. Joy serves as the first female National Christian Youth Council (NCYC) Eastern Region Vice President for the Christian Education Dept. in 1986-1990. Joy also served as one of the inaugural Episcopal Health Coordinators representing Mid-Atlantic II Episcopal District for the Balm in Gilead Health Initiative with the A.M.E., A.M.E. Zion, and CME Missionary Societies from 2005-2012. Joy was educated in the Pittsfield, Mass. public school system, graduating from high school at the age of sixteen. She then received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and later a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Joy is a Federal Employee serving our nation’s veterans as a Primary Care RN at the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center. Prior to that, Joy’s “best nursing years” were spent as a Travel RN for 7 years traveling to 42 of 50 states, visiting A.M.E. Zion Churches along the way. Her nursing career spans over 28 years. Joy was elected as the 13th Connectional Chairman, Life Members Council of the Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society at the 30th Quadrennial Convention in July 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Joy’s campaign motto and theme for the Life Members Council is “There’s JOY in Life Members. ”Joy is one of six children and the ONLY girl surrounded by her very protective brothers. Joy is married to Mr. Thom Foster, and together, they have five children and 11 grandchildren. Joy’s favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”