Joy Gardner Blanchard went to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, August 10, 2025. Joy grew up in Hillsville, Virginia and attended Radford College.
She will once again be able to walk and run. She loved the passage from Psalms 23. The Lord has been her Shephard her entire life.
Joy and Jim met as Summer Missionaries. Joy was married to Rev. James A. Blanchard Jr. For over 53 years. Even though she was not able to have children, she had fur babies. She adopted Puddles and then a passel of others. She adopted BeBe, her first show dog that led to many others she whelped and loved. Many of her Fur babies waited for her on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.
Joy taught school for over 30 years. She taught school in South Boston, and Portsmouth, Virginia. She moved to Oxford and taught in the Granville County School System. Most of the time was spent at J.F. Webb High School. For years there, she was Mrs. "B". Teaching meant she ended up having thousands of children.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents Roscoe and Althea Gardner.
Joy has a brother Dennis Gardner and his wife Ann Gardner. She also had a niece Leta Ward and her husband Ken. She had two great nieces, Madison and Ashley. She also had a nephew, Adam.
Joy heard Jim tell everyone he meets daily 4 things.
Pray
Remember the 23 Psalms
Live by John 3:16
Tell your loved ones you love them all the time
Every time Jim went to Joy, the first thing he told Joy was "I love you." The last thing he told her when he left her was "I LOVE YOU!"
After you read this, PLEASE tell your loved ones that you love them. You never know when the last time you may see them will be!
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Oxford Baptist Church conducted by Dr. Clay Warf.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 90, 914 Williamsboro Street, Oxford, NC 27565.
Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home of Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.sossamonfuneralhome.com.