Joyce English Grist, 83, of Tiger, GA passed away Monday, August 4, 2014 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
She was born in Rabun County and was the daughter of Freeman Jasper English and Ina Thompson English. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by 4 brothers, I. N. English, Porter English, Gervace English and Buddy Ross English; and two sisters, Bernice Williams and Opal Rogers. Mrs. Grist is survived by one son, Bobby Grist and his wife Sharon of Tifton, GA, three daughters, Becky Kilby and her husband Mike of Tifton, GA, Reba Cockrell and her husband Randy of McDonough, GA, and Rhonda Lunsford and her husband Keith of Tiger, GA; and one sister, Burice Bradshaw of Clayton, GA. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, Jamey Kilby, Roxanne Lunsford, Erik Lunsford, Jeremy Cockrell, Kyle Grist, Derek Grist and Dr. Dustin Kilby; and 11 great-grandchildren, Austin Kilby, Gryson Cockrell, Mason Grist, Jakob Lunsford, Riley Cockrell, Anna Lunsford, Brooks Kilby, Lila Cockrell, Miley Grist, Harper Grist and Bowen Kilby.
Mrs. Grist graduated from Rabun County High School in 1950 and was her senior class president. She was a social worker with the State of Georgia DFACS and was a member of Persimmon Baptist Church. She loved country music and NASCAR and enjoyed attending her grandchildren's sporting events. She devoted her life to her family and they always came first.
The family will receive friends at Beck Funeral Home from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Wednesday evening, August 6, 2014. Funeral Services will be held in the Beck Funeral Home Chapel at 11:00 AM, Thursday, August 7, 2014 with Rev. Michael Rogers and Rev. Mark Holloway officiating. Burial will follow in Persimmon Community Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the Persimmon Cemetery Fund.
The family will be at the home of Rhonda Lunsford on Saga Mtn. Road, Tiger, GA.
Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.
