Joyce Martin Hitt

Joyce Martin Hitt, 87, of Cumming, passed into the arms of her Savior on January 15, 2018.

Born during the depression, Joyce's life was made even more difficult, when she was five years old, by the death of her mother. Joyce was subsequently raised by a succession of grandparents, aunts and older sisters. In spite of living in such an unstable environment, she was able to skip two grades in school due to her intellectual abilities, and graduated from O'keefe High School in Atlanta.

She began her working years as an aluminum siding salesperson, later working in a dental laboratory and selling shoes at Rich's. She married Elwin Hitt in 1950. They had five children and Joyce stayed home to raise them. When the youngest child was in school, she re-entered the work force at Lad & Dad where she worked in the shipping department. When that plant closed, she took a job at Corporate Printers but then went to work at Tyson Foods in 1981. She retired from there in 2012, at the age of 81.

Joyce was an avid reader, a song writer and a poet. She loved photography, gospel and country music, and was known for singing gospel songs she had written. She bowled in leagues until she was well into her sixties. She was a follower of the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Falcons. Baseball was her favorite sport and she coached both boys' baseball and girls' softball teams for many years. She was a pitcher on a ladies' softball team as well. During her coaching years, before the days of seat belt laws, she would haul all the players to the games in her station wagon, even though they were packed in like sardines. She also transported many kids to bowling leagues in Marietta and Gainesville. A good Samaritan, she was known to carry friends to doctor appointments and chemotherapy treatments whenever needed.

Joyce was a fantastic cook and was especially known for her dressing, her chicken livers, her macaroni and cheese, her beef stew and her crumb pudding.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Molly Martin, husband, Elwin Hitt, four sisters, four brothers, beloved sister-in-law Eleanor Bagwell, father-in-law and mother-in-law J.P. And Dollie Hitt and great-grandson, Jackson Sams.

She is survived by children: Brenda (George) Sams, Cathy Frix (Rachel Jefferson), Johnny Hitt, all of Cumming, Randy Hitt (Brian Garrison) of Roswell, and Danny Hitt of Cumming; grandchildren: Kevin (DeAnn) Sams, Gainesville, Justin Sams (April Miles), Lawrenceville, Joel (Jessica) Sams, Canton,  Dustin Frix, Gainesville, Brittany Walker and Zach Walker, Billings, Montana, and Kolt Hitt of  Brunswick; great-grandchildren, Ryan, Tyler, Jake, Jada, Josi, Luke, Hayden, Ace and Jay. Step-grand- children, Logan, Liam and Lainey. Also surviving are nephews, nieces and long-time friend, Helen Loudermilk.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 18^th, at 2:00 pm in the Roanoke Baptist Church with interment to follow at the church cemetery. Officiating will be Revs. Harold Evans and David Chumley. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 17^th, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm and on Thursday from 9:00 am until the hour of service. 

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to her Encompass Hospice caregivers: Ellen, Darcey, Ava, Candace, Renee, Helen and Mike.

Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.