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 Rev. Danny Thomas will officiate. Pallbearers will be Andy Cobb, Dr. Mark Harvey, Kevin Cobb, Jason Scott, Gilbert Story, David Story and Jason Scott. Honorary pallbearers will be the employees of the Reedy Creek Division of Thiele Kaolin Company .
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 her high school sweetheart for seven years, Joy married George R. Lord III, 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 Brentwood 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 Thiele’s Reedy Creek Operations in Wrens. Having worked at Thiele for 26 years, Joy left due to health reasons but enjoyed staying in touch with her work family.
She is survived by her husband, George Lord, mother Jackie Scott Williams, father-in-law and mother-in-law G. R. and Rosalyn Lord, brothers Joey (Tammie) Williams, Jerry (Paula) Williams, brother-in-law Pete (Denise) Colson, sister-in-law Sherri (Harold) Lord Dawson and Vickie (Jim) Colson Curry, nieces and nephews April Joy (Grady) Williams Banks, Jake Williams, Josh Williams, Elizabeth (Justin) Pittman Phillips, Allie Dawson, Sydney Colson, Samantha Colson, 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 commonly known and loved as “Aunt Joy” by so many.
Despite many health set-backs over the past 17 years, Joy Williams Lord, 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 so unselfishly. God blessed Joy with an abundance of talents and in turn, she shared her gift of self with so many. She is well remembered for sharing her artistic abilities, including painting murals, painting canvas pictures, painting Santa Claus plates and Christmas ornaments, floral arranging, wedding and party planning, elaborate cake and cookie decorating, interior decorating and superb cooking talent. In past years, Joy also loved coaching middle school girls’ softball and basketball teams. Many of Joy’s lasting touches on people are vividly treasured through her elaborate scrapbooks she created and gave others as reminders of wonderful memories of activities. Joy made lives richer by the many blessings she gifted to people. She nurtured a broad network of friendships and made sure to connect others together to share in developing relationships.
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.