Joy Lord

Joy Elizabeth Williams Lord transitioned to her heavenly home on August 29, 2018, following extensive illnesses. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 1, at Sisters Baptist Church in Sandersville with burial in Zeta Cemetery in Tennille. Reverend Ronnie Sheldon, Reverend Tim Powell and Reverend Danny Thomas will officiate.  Pallbearers will be Andy Crabb, Dr. Mark Harvey, Kevin Cobb, Charlie Giles, Gilbert Story, David Story, Jason Scott and L.H. Carter.  Honorary pallbearers will be the employees of Thiele Kaolin’s Reedy Creek Division.

Joy was born December 27, 1961, in Dublin, Georgia, to Jacqueline (Jackie) Scott Williams and the late Joe E. Williams. Joy loved her childhood growing up on Georgia Avenue in Wrightsville, Georgia. After dating seven years, Joy married George Lord, her high school sweetheart and they made their home in Washington County, Georgia for the last 35 years.

Joy graduated Brentwood School in 1980 and in her senior year was voted Homecoming Queen and Miss Brentwood. After working at Tennille Banking Company for six years, followed by a brief period at A & I Chemical Company, she joined Thiele Kaolin Company in 1989 as Research & Development Secretary in Sandersville and later served as Operations Secretary at Reedy Creek.  After working at Thiele for 26 years, Joy left due to health reasons but enjoyed staying in touch with her work family.

In addition to her husband George, and mother, Jackie Williams, she is survived by her father-in-law and mother-in-law G. R. and Rosalyn Lord; brothers, Joey Williams (Tammie), Jerry Williams (Paula); sister-in-law Sherri Lord Dawson (Harold) and Vickie Colson (Jim) Currey; brother-in-law Pete Colson (Denise); nieces and nephews, April Joy Williams Banks (Grady), Jake Williams, Josh Williams, Elizabeth Pittman Phillips (Justin), Allie Dawson, Sydney Colson, Samantha Colson and James Currey; a great niece, Skylar Banks; two great nephews, Eli Banks and Jackson Phillips .  Joy enjoyed loving children, young and old, throughout her years and was known and loved as “Aunt Joy” by many.

Despite many health set-backs over the past 17 years, Joy taught others the meaning of perseverance.   She chose to use her experiences to help and encourage others going through difficult times.  Always thinking of others in their trials, her words to others in conversation would be, “What can I do for you?”

Joy’s life touched so many people because of her deep love and heart-felt caring nature. She treated everyone as family and actively gave of herself unselfishly. God blessed Joy with an abundance of talents and she shared her gift of self with so many.  She is well remembered for sharing her artistic abilities, including painting Santa Claus plates and Christmas ornaments; prom flowers; wedding and party planning; celebration cakes and cookie decorating; and interior design.  In past years, Joy also loved coaching middle school girls’ softball and basketball teams.

The family suggest donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 2607 Commons Blvd., Augusta Georgia 30909.

The family will receive friends at May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday.

May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of the arrangements.

www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com