Joyce Morrison Ripley, 73, of Comer, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, July 11, 2018. She was surrounded by her beloved family, who adored and loved her beyond measure.
Born December 22, 1944, in Kokomo, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Lee Morrison and Regina Morrison of Orlando, Fla., and Athens, Ga. Raised in Central Florida, Joyce was a 1963 graduate of Edgewater High School.
With a quick, infectious laugh, an inquisitive mind keen for healthy debate, and a deep, unshakable faith in God and family, Joyce’s deepest passion was to serve others. A photo of Joyce not laughing or expressing love is among the rarest of things – if it exists at all. Later in life, she discovered the joys of Facebook, on which she would often share photos of her treasured family and those causes dear to her.
Whether it was her immediate family or a stranger in need, Joyce firmly believed that all were created equal with God’s hand and were to be treated with respect and dignity. These lessons, passed to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, will ensure her legacy of love will extend beyond her Earthly passing, much like the echoes of her laughter.
She was preceded in death by her cherished husbands, Jon Morton and William K. Ripley; a sister, Janet, of Orlando; and a grandson, Jacob.
In addition to her mother and numerous nieces and nephews, survivors include her sister, Carolyn MacDade and her husband, Stuart, of Orlando; her seven children, Lesa Johnson of Orlando and her husband, Rob; Michael Ripley and his wife, Ismarie, of Athens, Ga.; Michelle Ripley Nguyen and her husband, Dango, of Athens; Julie Ripley Wade and her husband, Lance, of Athens; Bill Ripley and his wife, Rebekah, of Athens; John Ripley and his wife, Staci, of South Portland, Maine; and Bryan Ripley and his wife, Michelle, of Athens. Additionally, she is survived by her twenty-three grandchildren: Corey, Chaz, Houston, Isabella, Gavin, Erin, Carly, Colt, Dakota, Jessie, Jamie, Casie, Lauren, Gage, Billy, Chris, Jean, Elijah, Caleb, Sam, Grace, Simon and Jason, as well as her three great-grandchildren: Gideon, Alana, and Levi.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM at Lord & Stephens, West on Jimmy Daniel Road in Watkinsville. The family will receive friends from 9:00 until 10:00 AM Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Oconee Memorial Park in Watkinsville. Memorial donations may be made to Sparrow’s Nest of Athens, 745 Prince Ave, Athens, GA 30606, or to Carpenter’s Closet, c/o Mt. Pleasant Community Church, 1244 Comer Rd., Crawford, GA 30630.
Lord & Stephens, West is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com

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