By Staff
The fourth and final entry for the Light of Legacy series is Mrs. Joyce Harvey Tabb.
Tabb is a native of Brewton, but resides in Stone Mountain, Ga. she is the daughter of the late Alonza and Ernestine Harvey.
Tabb grew up in a home where the importance of education was practiced and stressed by her parents. Her father dedicated his life in education - becoming the first black superintendent in Tuskegee, Ala. Her mother dedicated her life to the nursing profession - becoming the first black registered nurse in Escambia County (Ala). This modeling by her mother inspired her to also choose a career in health care services.
Upon completion of high school, Tabb entered Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, school of nursing where the earned her bachelors of science degree. She earned her masters from the University of Illinois.
Upon the completion of her training, her profession provided her with the opportunity to gain a wide range of experiences in health care services. Her work experiences led her to become a staff nurse at various locations including John Andrew Hospital of Tuskegee, Ala.; Tougaloo College, of Tougaloo Miss. as student health nurse; University of Alabama Spain rehabilitation; Veterans Administration Hospital in Tuskegee, Cleveland, Ohio and Chicago, Ill. She was also the personal nurse for the late Gov. George C. Wallace.
Tabb retired as nurse manager of psychiatric service from Regional Hospital in Atlanta. She is retired - but not retired - she still maintains a humanitarian spirit that continues to reach out. She is engaged in numerous community service organizations of which she was recipient of a human service award for outstanding community service in 2004. She enjoys working with persons of special needs.
Her membership affiliations include YWCA, YMCA, Tuskegee Alumni Nursing Association, Miller Grove Baptist Church, Daughter of Elk and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, among others. The Brewton community salutes Tabb for her dedicated service to all as a health care professional.