Joyce was born on the 4th of December, 1944 as the first child to Mr. John Abraham and Mrs. Lilly Abraham. Mr. John Abraham was the first son of Mr. John, a labor contractor who used to take workers from India to Sri Lanka to work in Hatton Estate in Kandy. He and three of his younger brothers came back to India for schooling because there were no good schools in Kandy, and particularly Hatton estate. He was married to Lilly Abraham who was the first daughter of Mr. Peter Manikam of Chittoor. Both Mr. Abraham and Lilly Abraham were working in Pallipet.  Mr.Abraham as the superintendent of the Australian Presbyterian Mission office and Lilly Abraham as Public Nurse in a primary health center in Pallipet. They fell in love, and the parents approved, and the marriage took place.

 

Joyce was born in Christian Medical College hospital. Everyone expected the child to be boy, but Joyce's mother very much wanted a girl to be born, and God answered her prayers. Dr. Freeda delivered Joyce, so in gratitude Joyce was given the second name Freeda. Joyce’s paternal grandmother was Mrs. Gnanamani and part of her became her surname: Gnanakumari. Her father gave the name Joyce because she brought a lot of joy into the family when she was born. Mr. Peter Manikam, the maternal grandfather brought bundles of currencies, put the money on a wrapper and covered Joyce with money blessing that she should, in her life time, have nothing but affluence. That was the grandfather's wish.

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