Richard R. Joy's Obituary
Richard R. Joy, 97, of Decatur died Saturday May 06, 2006 in Manor Care Nursing Center surrounded by his loving family.
Services will be held 12:30 pm Monday May 15, 2006 in St. Peters AME Church with Rev. Carey Grady officiating, visitation will be from 11 am to 12 pm with Masonic Rites conducted by the John C. Ellis Masonic Lodge #17 F&AM immediately prior to the start of the service. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Peters AME Youth Lay Organization. Moran & Goebel Funeral Home is assisting the Joy family with these arrangements.
Richard was born in BolÃ?var, TN on December 25, 1909, the son of Wardie Woods and Rose Joy. He married Madeline C. “MeMe” Bowens on May 29, 1943 in St. Louis, MO; she preceded him in death on April 10, 2005. He attended Bolivar Public Schools in Tennessee. He was a member of the John C. Ellis Masonic Lodge #17 F&AM, St. Peters AME Church. He worked at Wagner’s Castings for 40 years. Although no children were born to this union, he had Johnny Sandra Kidd, Donna Palmer Jackson, Angela Williams, Richard Palmer, Brett Jackson, RaKyia Palmer, Lisa and Michael Kidd and Laqushia Freeman as his special children.
Also surviving are his special friend and sister-in-law the Rev. Betty Joy of Decatur, sisters-in-law Cathleen Banks, Carrie Bowens and Ruth Bowens and a host of special nieces and nephews; Sharon Bill Boyce, Lea Hawkins, Rosetta Shaw, Clara Copeland, Mabel Woods, Brenda Carmen, Elsie Ezell Jones, Bea Pugh, Boast Jeanne Sain, Lorenzo Leola Sain, Madeline Robert Hess, Sheila Gray, Bernadette Bowens, Larry Gray, Ridley Alma Miller, Sara Sain, Mary Miller and Kimberly Griggs; a host of great nephews and other relatives and friends.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, his parents, 10 brothers and 3 sisters.
A heart of gold stopped beating
Two smiling eyes at rest
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
A special thank you goes out to Laurie Brown and the staff of Manor Care for all their love and compassion shown to Richard during his stay at their facility.
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